I’ve been reading some reflections on St. Joseph in the book titled Consecration to St. Joseph, by Fr Donald Calloway. I’ve learned many interesting things about St. Joseph and his life, like how his home in Nazareth was picked up by angels and moved in a single night across the ocean, and all the scientific studies done which confirm the house, now in Loretto, Italy, did likely come from Nazareth (it just appeared there one day, the same day it disappeared from its former location).
One reflection in the book compares the Joseph of the Old Testament, who was sold by his brothers into slavery, with St. Joseph of the New Testament, foster father of Jesus. The Old Testament Joseph won the approval of Pharoah and eventually was put at the head of all Egypt’s grain storage locations, during a time of great famine. His brothers, starving from the famine, eventually came to Egypt for food. They re-discovered each other, forgave, and everyone was happy, etc. “Thanks to Joseph and his role as the keeper of the grain, countless lives were saved from famine and death” including his family.
“The story related in the Old Testament is true and is a prefiguration of a much greater Joseph who would bring his Son, the Bread from Heaven, to safety in Egypt. Saint Joseph safeguarded a food capable of saving the entire world!” Eternally!! “Saint Joseph, our spiritual father, is much greater than the Joseph of the Old Testament. Our Joseph was the keeper of the Bread from Heaven!”
(Saint) Joseph is still charged with guarding the Living Bread! -- Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
“Today, there is a worldwide spiritual and moral famine on the earth. Souls are dying because of a lack of spiritual nourishment. Hearts are broken; marriages are ruined; lives are destroyed; children are murdered in the womb; and truth and common sense are in short supply. The spiritual and moral famine in the world is devasting every nation, laying waste to humanity. There is not a single country left that has not been affected by it. What are we to do? To whom can we go to find nourishment for our soul?
Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you! -- Gen 41:55
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I liked that reflection on the importance of St. Joseph in the life of Jesus, and the world. Under the care of Joseph and Mary, who bore Him, Jesus grew in maturity and wisdom. He was God, but He fully assumed a human body. I’ve sometimes wondered if, since He was God, Jesus didn’t go around amazing his young friends by working miracles, but these reflections remind me that a God did fully partake in our humanity. He lived it as a man, and had to go through growth and maturity like a man, before His Godly spirit could take control of that body, yet be constrained by it. He had to humanly suffer and die.
It’s a good reminder for me, when I want to take control of everything that’s not going my way. Like Jesus, first I must respect and love my fellow man, even ones I disagree with. That is a lesson I must live my entire life. I had a phase of life where I was in control of some things, like Jesus was a carpenter, but even He didn’t try to control everything; He wasn’t a dictator, although He could have been. Instead, He said to “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” He lived out the purpose for which He was created, at each stage of His life, and let others (Joseph) be in control. And that is what I must be content to do. Like the Roman Senators, who were selected for their age and wisdom, I must assume a role as advisor, not doer, in my life, and be content, just loving God and neighbor, and letting Him now largely be in control. It’s hard to be so humble, so trusting, but Jesus did, as did Saint Joseph.
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