Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ.
I like to call St. Joseph "The Patron Saint of Folks Who Work Silently Behind the Scenes to Protect Us and Take Care of Us".
He is a model for all of us, especially those who labor tirelessly behind the scenes to care for others.
In the Gospel reading today, we hear about how St. Joseph received a message from an angel in a dream. The angel told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, even though she was pregnant with a child who was not his own. The angel also revealed to him that this child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and would be named Jesus, which means "Savior."
St. Joseph's response to this message was one of faith and trust. He obeyed the angel's command and took Mary as his wife, despite the scandal that surrounded her pregnancy. He also gave the child the name that the angel had instructed him to give.
St. Joseph is a model for all of us who are called to trust in God's plan for our lives, even when it doesn't make sense to us. He teaches us that sometimes, God's ways are not our ways, and we need to be open to His will, even when it is difficult or challenging.
St. Joseph also teaches us the value of humility and service. As a carpenter, he worked silently behind the scenes to provide for his family and to care for them.
He was a man of few words, but his actions spoke louder than any words could. He was a protector and a provider, always putting the needs of his family first.
Today, as we celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph, let us ask for his intercession and his guidance in our own lives. Let us strive to imitate his humility, his faith, and his willingness to serve others.
And let us trust in God's plan for our lives, just as St. Joseph did, knowing that He always has our best interests at heart.
May the example of St. Joseph ("The Patron Saint of Folks Who Work Silently Behind the Scenes to Protect Us and Take Care of Us") inspire us to live our lives in service to others and in faithful obedience to God's will. Amen.