GOD INSPIRED SAINT JOSEPH

GOD INSPIRED JOSEPH!

God inspired St Joseph,  the worker, to care for Mary and Joseph.

In St Joseph's soldier-like mission, he was to  defend and lead Mary and Jesus out of harm's way  to Egypt and away from King Herod who murdered the innocent babies of Israel.

He provided for their safety until calm prevailed when he could lead the family back to Israel.

May 1st we celebrate St Joseph's worker.

We are reminded of the many titles he held:

Descendant of King David of Israel.

Patron of The Universal Church.

Husband of Immaculate Mary..

Stepfather of Jesus on Earth.

Carpenter.

Worker.

Patron of Mexico Canada, and Belgium.

Namesake of places like St Joseph, Missouri.

And many people's patron saint..

Generation names for example within my own family we have people who are named for him  as their patron saint.

My grandfather was Joseph Francis,

Joseph William, my father.

My brother Joseph Martin, and his son, my nephew Joseph Benjamin.

My own middle name is Joseph, as is my pastor's middle name — we are both Patrick Joseph.

 It is fair to say that Joseph is important in many families.

Even so, little is known about him and still St Joseph the worker, yet his legacy has continued for 20 centuries;

 he was known in scripture as being a  righteous, caring husband of Mary and step-father to God’s son Jesus.  He is heroic because he was unwilling to expose her and her parents to public disgrace (Matthew chapter 1 verse 19.)

 Our world needs more righteous men as husbands and fathers who are caring protective defenders of women and children just like Saint Joseph.

We pray:

St. Joseph grant us your intercession with God our Father who are in Heaven that we may be safe under your patronage. Amen.