Some thoughts while meditating on the Luminous Mysteries, on the Solemnity of St. Joseph…
01) The Baptism in the Jordan – In Baptism, we are reborn as members of the family of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. How close St. Joseph must have been to the Holy Spirit, since he was chosen to be the head of the Holy Family… how he must have reflected the Almighty Father’s love for His Only Begotten Son! Filled with grace as foster father, growing in grace during the blessed years of raising Jesus. Like humble Mary, St. Joseph had his own fiats, saying yes to God throughout his life.
02) The Wedding at Cana – The marriage of St. Joseph and our Lady is the most pure example we have. Jesus didn’t grow up in a dysfunctional family, even though He chose to enter into the disorder of the world. His is a royal, divine family, descended from the line of David, conceived by the Holy Spirit, the ultimate marriage between Heaven and earth. We can only imagine how painful it must have been to be so pure in a world so corrupt… but God shows us that when a marriage is sanctified, even water can turn into wine, and a virgin could conceive. St. Joseph trusted his wife and God unreservedly… no divorce, no separation due to sinfulness. Do we desire this same intimate union?
03) The Proclamation of the Kingdom – St. Joseph is known for being a worker, an honest carpenter. He instructed his Son in the craft of building things. Jesus began His saving work after the example of St. Joseph… building the Kingdom of God in human hearts… a work that will last forever.
04) The Transfiguration – To strengthen His apostles for the trials to come, Jesus revealed His divinity on Mt. Tabor. A mystical experience of great consolation. We learn not to fear death because there is something greater. The holy death of St. Joseph, in the company of Jesus and Mary, is the kind of death we ought to pray for. Let us stay close to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts, now and at that hour.
05) The Institution of the Eucharist – Even though not much is mentioned about St. Joseph in the Bible, theologians say that he is the man closest to Jesus. Those secret, hidden years… like the hiddenness and mystery of the Eucharist. With God, it’s a most personal relationship, a private matter to guard from those who would abuse heavenly things. St. Joseph is known as the Protector of Jesus and Mary—taking Mary into his home, fleeing into Egypt in the middle of the night… what lengths do we go through to protect our Lord, especially in the Blessed Sacrament? After we receive, we must also protect in the tabernacles of our hearts…
