Holy Family: St. Joseph’s Holy Family

12-29-2019Weekly Reflection

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. In the Gospel (Mt. 2:1315, 1923), St. Joseph is the main protagonist, making the all important decision for the safety and survival of the Holy Family. Joseph listened to God, obeyed God in total trust and humility.

Joseph the head of the Family was a man of prayer He constantly consulted God, listened and quietly carried out God's plan for the Baby Jesus and the Blessed Virgin. Joseph knew the great task that laid ahead of Jesus, his Son. He knew this the moment he accepted to be the foster father of Jesus. He also knew that everything should be executed perfectly or accordingly as planned.

This is the greatness of St. Joseph : His willingness to obey and faithfully carry out God’s plan in the most humble, simple, and loving way. Being at the forefront of God's plan that was unraveling before him, he was able to step back, and both follow and obey His holy Will. St. Joseph walked the talk of the saying; they who say little, are those who love much."

Since Fr. Joy joined our St. Rose community, it has been so heartwarming to see Bp. Olmsted, my brother priests, his friends and parishioners from his previous assignments, come to visit him. They continue to support him and give him encouragement. St. Joseph's charism in his priest, in Fr. Joy, lives in their heart. I am sure, Fr. Joy's pastoral care, his brand of St. Joseph ministry somehow has touched them. Facing medical challenges himself now, their visits and the many cards that he still receives are all fruits of his good spiritual fatherhood, like St. Joseph's fatherhood of the first Christian Community, the Holy Family.

My gratitude and blessings go out to the St. Rose parishioners who volunteered to bring Fr. Joy to his dialysis sessions this past 2 months. Thank you for making Fr. Joy feel welcomed to our St. Rose Family.

“Lord, make all months December, and every day in it the 25th. Then will this season of love become a permanent event, and all men and women of good will become Christmas people all throughout the year. Amen.” Please remember that Christmas is not a day, but a spirit that we carry with us.

May the Lord give us peace in our hearts and in our families this New Year and the rest of 2020.