Saint Joseph Solemnity

Thursday 19^th 2009 Solemnity of Saint Joseph.

Homily Reflections today tended to speak of the Family Roots or Task Role of St. Joseph.

The following from St. Alphonsus resounds from the Saints.

PREFACE OF JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,

we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks as we honor Saint Joseph.

He is that just man,

that wise and loyal servant,

whom you placed at the head of your family. With a husband's love he cherished Mary, the virgin Mother of God.

With fatherly care he watched over Jesus Christ your Son, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Through Christ the choirs of angels

and all the powers of heaven

praise and worship your glory.

May our voices blend with theirs

as we join in their unending hymn: Holy holy holy . . .

MEDITATION by Alphonsus de Liguori (+ 1787, founded the Redemptorists).

Go to Joseph

Saint Bernardine of Siena used to say: 'There is no doubt about it; in heaven, Jesus Christ not only continues to show Saint Joseph every sign of the familiarity and respect which he showed him during his life on earth, as Son to father, but adds to them with fresh honors." Notice these two words: familiarity and respect. The Lord, who on earth honored Saint Joseph as a father, will certainly not refuse him any­thing he asks in heaven.

At this point we ought to add that Saint Joseph had on earth no authority over the humanity of Jesus Christ as a natural father would have, though he did, in a certain sense, have authority over him as hus­band of Mary who had authority over him as his nat­ural Mother. Whoever has the right to a tree, also has the right to the fruit it bears. Consequently, on earth Jesus Christ used to respect Joseph and obey him as his superior, and it follows that Saint Joseph's prayers in heaven are treated as orders by Jesus Christ. This is Gerson's thought: "When a father prays to his son," he says, "his prayers truly are commands."

Now let us listen to what Saint Bernard has to say about Saint Joseph's intercessory power on behalf of his supplicants: 'There are some saints who have the power of protecting in certain specific circumstances; but Saint Joseph has been granted the power to help us in every kind of need, and to defend all who have recourse to him with pious dispositions."

That was how Saint Bernard put it; Saint Teresa confirms his opinion from her own experience and tells us: "It would seem that God has only granted the other saints power to help us in one kind of necessity; but experience shows that Saint Joseph can help in every kind of need."

There is no doubt about it: just as Jesus Christ wanted to be subject to Joseph on earth, so he does everything the saint asks of him in heaven. When Egypt was laid waste by the great famine, Pharaoh told his people, Ite ad Joseph! - Go to Joseph! So if we are in trouble, let us listen to the word of the Lord and take Pharaoh's advice; let us go to Joseph if we wish to be consoled ... Above all, I most strongly urge you to ask him for three special graces: forgiveness of sins, love of Jesus Christ, and a happy death.

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