This feast of Saint Joseph celebrates his role in the family. The role of father and protector.  As I pondered these texts a number of times the last few weeks I was struck by the models of father that the readings invite us to consider.  I am reminded in this time of reflection of a couple that were friends a number of years ago.  This Jewish couple were about my age and had three young adult children.  The mother, a specialist in religious education, and I, were co-workers in a collaboration of formation of faculties of Jewish and Catholic parochial schools in that Diocese.  We together were partners in a larger team, and our particular assignment was working with the faculty members of Jewish schools.  Another team did similar work with faculty members of the Catholic schools of the diocese.  In the process of this collaboration over six years we became close friends. My husband and I often shared the Shabbat (Sabbath) dinner in their home and invited them to Sunday dinner in ours.

When we had that opportunity to be with their family around the Friday evening table I was often struck by David’s gentle love for his children and how his fatherhood shone through the meal behavior.  He teased, and corrected; listened and reflected with them, sometimes consoling them and often challenging them – but always with such love, even when he was stressed about one of their choices. 

One night he told me about his relationship with Abraham and his love for the wisdom of the tradition that handed down a deep care for and attendance upon family.  Another night we spoke of King David who had a less than stellar relationship with his wives, but an unquenchable love for his children both the loyal and disloyal.

St. Joseph came from this tradition of faith and remembrance.  God’s people are his “children” to be loved and cared for with every gift of his personality.  God’s Fatherhood is perhaps most gently demonstrated in Joseph and his care for those he protects and guides according to the Jewish culture.  He is willing to stand by and care for Mary and her child which was clearly a puzzlement for him – such faith in the faith of Abraham and David, and the faith of all fathers and husbands who take their role of protector, shepherd, guide and shelter seriously.

At a time when our world needs real fathers – men who care profoundly for the children, grand children and even great grandchildren this is a time when men can perform this most sacred human role for a world confused and angry about so much.  Let’s look to men who honestly “father” their families and their neighbors’ families to bring peace and justice to a world hungry for such love.