Saint Joseph can help us to live a most fruitful Advent, and for many reasons. Let us quietly meditate upon five extraordinary virtues of this greatest of all saints so that we can live a most
fervent Advent season and allow Jesus to be born in the depths of our hearts this Christmas!
- SILENCE. Not once in the Bible do we hear a word from the great Saint Joseph. This silence of Saint Joseph is very eloquent. It teaches us a fundamental attitude to enter into deep prayer: SILENCE. If we are constantly bombarded by noises then it is impossible to hear the Word of God, the Holy Spirit that speaks to us in the gentle breeze of silence. Also the silence of Saint Joseph teaches us the importance of example. We must prove our authenticity by words, but also by our actions. Saint Joseph taught the world by the holy way that he lived. May he be an example for us.
2. PRAYER. Saint Joseph was a man of prayer. What an extraordinary role he played in the history of salvation. He was both the spouse of Mary the Mother of God as well as the foster-father of Jesus the Son of the living God. Saint Joseph actually taught Jesus to speak and to address God as “Abba”—meaning “Daddy”. In a certain sense Saint Joseph taught Jesus to use the human words to talk to the Heavenly Father—this is prayer. Therefore, if Saint Joseph taughtJesus how to pray, how much could he teach me how to pray if I simply ask for his help. Start now: Saint Joseph, teach me how to pray!
3. COURAGE AND MANLINESS. In a society where too many men shirk their
obligations toward their wives, children and family and turn to vices and the easy
life when confronted with difficulties, Saint Joseph shines as a model of
courage and fortitude. He travelled the many miles in the cold and wind, only
to meet rejection. He found refuge in an animal shelter for the birth of Jesus. He
arose early to flee into Egypt saving the Child Jesus from the vicious and
murderous threats of King Herod. Faced with so many difficulties, Saint Joseph
stood tall and confronted the obstacles with manly courage. May the men of the
present generation lift up their gaze to the gentle but courageous man of
God—good Saint Joseph.
obligations toward their wives, children and family and turn to vices and the easy
life when confronted with difficulties, Saint Joseph shines as a model of
courage and fortitude. He travelled the many miles in the cold and wind, only
to meet rejection. He found refuge in an animal shelter for the birth of Jesus. He
arose early to flee into Egypt saving the Child Jesus from the vicious and
murderous threats of King Herod. Faced with so many difficulties, Saint Joseph
stood tall and confronted the obstacles with manly courage. May the men of the
present generation lift up their gaze to the gentle but courageous man of
God—good Saint Joseph.
4. PROVIDE AND PROTECT. Saint Joseph both protected and provided for
the Holy Family. He was a hard worker—exercising the trade of a Carpenter. He
earned the bread that he made with the sweat of his brow. He thought not of
himself but of how he could best provide for and protect the family that God
had entrusted to his care. As we draw close to Christmas let us beg good Saint
Joseph to provide and protect our spiritual lives. Materialism, consumerism,
hedonism are the gods of the present culture. These actually suffocate
spirituality. Saint Joseph’s prayers can help us to look beyond the buying,
having, and possessing. He can help us to realize that true joy and happiness
does not come from having things, but in possessing God. To hold the Child
Jesus in our arms and in our hearts is worth more than all of the money and
possessions of the entire world. Good Saint Joseph can teach us this simple but
profound lesson!
the Holy Family. He was a hard worker—exercising the trade of a Carpenter. He
earned the bread that he made with the sweat of his brow. He thought not of
himself but of how he could best provide for and protect the family that God
had entrusted to his care. As we draw close to Christmas let us beg good Saint
Joseph to provide and protect our spiritual lives. Materialism, consumerism,
hedonism are the gods of the present culture. These actually suffocate
spirituality. Saint Joseph’s prayers can help us to look beyond the buying,
having, and possessing. He can help us to realize that true joy and happiness
does not come from having things, but in possessing God. To hold the Child
Jesus in our arms and in our hearts is worth more than all of the money and
possessions of the entire world. Good Saint Joseph can teach us this simple but
profound lesson!
5. SAINT JOSEPH, OUR LADY AND JESUS. To arrive at a true and
authentic devotion to Mary, good Saint Joseph can serve as a powerful bridge. Aside
from Jesus Himself, nobody on earth knew, understood, cherished and loved the
Blessed Virgin Mary more than good Saint Joseph. Turn to Good Saint Joseph and
beg him for the grace of greater knowledge and love for Mary, his beloved
spouse. Your devotion to Mary will make a huge jump! Then turn to Saint Joseph
and beg him for the grace of intimate knowledge of Jesus that you will love
Jesus more ardently and follow Jesus more closely. Aside from Mary nobody knew
Jesus better on earth than good Saint Joseph. The Holy Family is complete only
when the three members are recognized, honored and loved. May the prayers of good Saint Joseph open your hearts to the immense treasures that God has in store for you this Advent
Season. Then may Jesus be born in the depths of your heart this Christmas day!
authentic devotion to Mary, good Saint Joseph can serve as a powerful bridge. Aside
from Jesus Himself, nobody on earth knew, understood, cherished and loved the
Blessed Virgin Mary more than good Saint Joseph. Turn to Good Saint Joseph and
beg him for the grace of greater knowledge and love for Mary, his beloved
spouse. Your devotion to Mary will make a huge jump! Then turn to Saint Joseph
and beg him for the grace of intimate knowledge of Jesus that you will love
Jesus more ardently and follow Jesus more closely. Aside from Mary nobody knew
Jesus better on earth than good Saint Joseph. The Holy Family is complete only
when the three members are recognized, honored and loved. May the prayers of good Saint Joseph open your hearts to the immense treasures that God has in store for you this Advent
Season. Then may Jesus be born in the depths of your heart this Christmas day!
This is a beautiful and helpful article, Father. Thank your for writing it, and for being a priest!
Sincerely,
Don