FEAST OF EPIPHANY/ THREE KINGS, B
JOSEPH, SERVANT OF JESUS
A simple government clerk’s son was accepted as a scholar abroad. Once, the son was even part of his university’s delegation to meet the president of the United States. He sent his dad a photo of himself standing beside the president.
This made the father very proud of his son. He always carried that photo with him to show to his friends. He even displayed it on his office desk. When a client comes, he first talked about his son before attending to the client’s concern. Such is the joy, the love, and the pride of a father!
In this Year of St. Joseph, let us reflect on the Lord Jesus’ legal or foster father on earth. Together with Mary, this simple man didn’t quite understand all that the angels said to him about his child. His role was simply to obey and to trust. He knew of course, that he was entrusted with a mission.
I am certain that when the Child was born, Joseph felt warmly blessed. He was the one who named him Jesus, as the angel commanded. He witnessed a stream of visitors adoring the Child. The shepherds came and told stories of angels singing in the heavens. Now we celebrate Epiphany, and it was surely Joseph who welcomed the wise men from the East who spoke of the mysterious star that led them to Bethlehem.
Maybe it was also Joseph who received their gifts, while Mary busily took care of Baby Jesus. Did he understand that the gifts meant that Jesus was the awaited King, Prophet and Priest of Israel, the Savior of the world?
He would not live to see the fulfillment of all these marvelous prophecies. But surely Joseph was unequaled in his father’s pride over the uniqueness and special character of his Son.
When the wise men left, Herod was already hatching a murderous plot against the Child. Joseph stood up to the role of defender and protector. Full of love and concern, he brought his family to the safety of Egypt.
Herod was the king but Joseph possessed the real riches. Herod was enraged while Joseph was enamored with the Child Jesus. Herod felt insecure but Joseph calmly trusted in the word of God.
In this we see the greatness of St. Joseph. He was a simple man, a working man, a family man, who knows how to risk everything for the people he loves: for Mary his beloved, for Jesus his treasure. He protected the name and honor of Mary. He saved Jesus from certain death in the hands of a lunatic king.
In Joseph, the Christmas story has a silent witness we can all identify with. He has the heart of a parent, the heart of a believer, the heart of a disciple of Christ. Like him, we too have people around us who depend on our support and care – maybe a sick person, elderly parents, needy relatives, a family full of children, etc.
Let us ask St. Joseph to teach us how to value these people as he valued Jesus and Mary when God entrusted them to his care. St. Joseph, pray for us!
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FOR THE POWERFUL PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH, WATCH VIDEO BELOW:
ON THINGS TO DO DURING THE YEAR OF ST JOSEPH SEE:
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