Today, March 19, 2020 is the feast day of St. Joseph, the Husband of Mary. A feast celebrated around the world. In Italy, the people are usually partying from home to home and dancing in the streets celebrating St. Joseph but not today.
With churches closed here in Minnesota, I watched Mass online and listened as the priest spoke about St. Joseph and the only four times he appears in the bible:

• When Mary announces she is pregnant.
• When the Holy Family travel to Bethlehem to be counted.
• When the Holy Family flee to Egypt to escape Herod.
• When Jesus was lost for three days and found in the temple.

Did you noticed all four times, every time, Joseph is mentioned he is in great distress, turmoil and suffering?  If I were Joseph, I would have wondered what had I done wrong. What did I do to deserve this mess? But not Joseph, not one spoken word is recorded from Joseph. The bible only tells us he was a just and righteous man. God knew what he was doing when he picked Joseph to be the head of the Holy Family and Jesus’ earthly father.

Joseph took care of his family and led them to safety. He listened to God and followed his directions. I wonder if the reason there’s no record of Joseph speaking is to show us he was a good listener, he listened. My dad always said God gave us one mouth and two ears for a reason. As a kid, I thought he said that because he had a house full of six daughters! But, now as adult, I understand my father’s wisdom, as well, as my Creator God’s wisdom. Humans would be a lot better off if we listen more and spoke less.

Dear St. Joseph, Earthly Father of Jesus,

Please listen to me as I humbly ask you to pray with me for my family, and the world.

I pray too that I become a better listener, to my spouse, my kids and family.

May I remember God gave me one mouth and two ears for a reason.

Please take my prayer request to the feet of Jesus for an end to the great distress, turmoil and suffering of this corona-virus pandemic.

Thank you, St. Joseph

St. Joseph Shadow Of The Father

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