Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, who is St Joseph? This man lived 2000 years ago, we never see Him but at least we see His photos and hear His story. But wait a moment, we receive and see His love to the Church and Legionaries. He is the patron of the Church and Legionaries. When I prayed the novena of St Joseph, there is a sentence saying when Herod wanted to kill Jesus, God sent the Angel to St Joseph only as a messenger. The rest of the salvation mission was trusted to St Joseph and immediately Joseph did everything needed to save Jesus and Mary. Joseph’s love is very big, he was willing to sacrifice and he did not count. As it is stated in the spiritual reading, we cannot separate the historical life of Jesus with His mystical life continuing in the Church, St Joseph’s love for us is also big.
We learn from the Gospel that Joseph is a silent man, he worked without any notice and reward. Moreover, he never complained. I think we could learn this aspect from St Joseph, sometimes in our ministry we want to be praised and appreciated and we grumble when we are not appreciated. It is indeed normal and human to do so, maybe we can deny ourselves and follow St Joseph’s example. St Joseph is meritorious but the amount of praise and reward given to Him is too small. Incarnation occurred when a virgin said yes but incarnation would not continue if a man did not take action. If the man did not take action then Jesus would fall to Herod’s hand.
Our love to Mother Mary cannot be separated from our love to St Joseph because Mary loves Joseph so much. Joseph took care of Mary and Mary respected Joseph. Both show us how to love and the meaning of love. Their love is not egoistic but self-giving. They toiled together for sake of kingdom of God. How wonderful it is when every couple and family follow Mary and Joseph’s example.
Last but not least Joseph experienced the happiest death. He died in the arm of Jesus and Mary. I am sure that this is our expectation also. We want to be welcomed to the kingdom of God by Jesus and Mary. Let us trust our Legionaries to St Joseph and deepen our love to him.