Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. At this time on this special feast, I would like to focus primarily on the example of Joseph, the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus. The great Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with the comment, “…At all times preach the gospel; when necessary use words.” Our willingness to spread the gospel message is reflected primarily through our actions not our words. This bit of wisdom applies to Saint Joseph. One of our biblical scholars reminds us that scripture does not record a single word that Saint Joseph spoke. Yet he speaks volumes through his actions. His actions speak to his humility and trust. He was not Almighty God like his foster Son. He was not “full of grace” like his wife Mary. He was just an ordinary man called to do extraordinary things as he coped with many crises and challenges.

As we know all too well, coping with crises and challenges are not easy. They were not easy for Joseph and they are not easy for us. Our scholars remind us that many of us have trouble coping because in some ways we may be afraid. We may be afraid to trust, afraid to love, afraid to serve, afraid to open our hearts to the Lord as Joseph did. Fear is natural and is to be expected since it is part of the human condition. But as we know, the Christmas season is not a time to fear. It is a time to love, a time to serve, a time to give, and a time to trust. At the first Christmas, God gave us the greatest gift, the gift of his Son. Now we are invited to give God the gift of humble service, the gift of a humble heart, the gift of the willingness to do the little things, gifts He received from Joseph.

We are also invited to seek harmony and peace in our family life through the intercession of Saint Joseph. The following prayer taken from the booklet “Devotions to Saint Joseph” by Fr. Brian Moore asks for assistance from Saint Joseph as a guide and supporter of our family life.

PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH FOR ONE’S FAMILY

JOSEPH, STRENGTHEN IN OUR FAMILY EVERY BOND THAT UNITES US,

   THE MARRIAGE BOND, THE LOVE OF PARENT AND CHILD,

   THE BOND OF MUTUAL LOVE BETWEEN US ALL.

JOSEPH, PROTECT OUR FAMILY FROM EVERY DANGER

   WITHOUT AND FROM EVERY THREAT TO PEACE, UNITY, AND HARMONY WITHIN.

JOSEPH, TEACH US TO BE KIND AND LOVING TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER,

   CAREFUL FOR ONE ANOTHER, TOLERANT OF ONE ANOTHER,

   FORGIVING TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER.

JOSEPH, MAY CONTENTMENT WITH OUR LOT AND JOY IN EACH OTHER

   ABOUND IN OUR HOUSE, AS WE SEEK FAITHFULLY TO SERVE AND GREATLY TO LOVE        GOD.

JOSEPH, BE YOU YOURSELF A FATHER TOWARDS OUR FAMILY,

   AND PRAY MARY BE A MOTHER TO US. 

   AMEN.