Over the weekend I was looking at a painting entitled “The Holy Family at Table” by an unknown Spanish artist of the 17th century. As you can imagine, it portrayed an ordinary day in the life of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, who looked about 10 years old, as they sat around a table eating a meal together. On the table were simple dishes of bread, fish, cheese, and fruits. Each person looked animated in conversation, and it was obvious their bonds were intimate and loving. It was easy for me, or any viewer, to want to pull up a chair and be part of their experience.
Looking at that picture, and knowing today is the feast of St. Joseph, makes their life together in Nazareth very real. While Mary was caring and teaching Jesus, and ‘pondering all these things in her heart’, Joseph showed his fatherly love with quiet strength, humble mentoring, and courageous example. It’s not hard to imagine Joseph showing Jesus some carpentry skills and together carving lovely things to use at home or to give away as gifts.
Joseph and Mary were not only nourished by sharing bread together with Jesus, but they were also blessed and nourished daily with his presence. Like all families are called to be, they were a domestic church, a school of love, living together in Jesus’ presence and serving each other.
Today we honor St. Joseph as truly a man of faith. It took faith to be able to recognize the mysterious voice of the angel who told him not to divorce Mary, as he was quietly planning to do when they were betrothed, and that her child was conceived through the Holy Spirit, would be called Jesus, and would save the people from their sins.
His response? We just heard: “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded and took his wife into his home.” That took real faith to follow that command. Joseph’s faith allowed him to recognize mystery and to sense its deeper reality. It spoke to his inner spirit, and he obeyed at once.
It doesn’t mean he didn’t have questions, or wasn’t a bit distressed, or wondered what the future would hold. But it was this faith that gave him the strength he needed to navigate the mysterious and surprising turns on the road ahead.
Joseph’s faith is an invitation to us to deepen our own faith, allowing us to set out on the unexpected road of life ahead of us. It’s a faith that gives us the courage to say yes to the unknown, like St. Joseph did.
Thank you, St. Joseph, for your example of unselfish love and total faith in God’s design for you. Pray for us as we strive to follow your amazing example. Amen
