As we continue our 100th Year Anniversary we Celebrate the Patron of our Parish, Saint Joseph The Worker. He Provided for and Protected the Holy Family, and so too does he look after us under whose watchful care we rely on and trust!
As we celebrate our patronal feast we are invited to reflect on his life, and implications for us to follow his example and implore his intercession. As I think of St Joseph and the mission of our parish we see the active outreach reaching those on the peripheries, and standing for justice.
On this Feast of St Joseph let us use his example as a model for us to be custodians for justice. In the first chapter of the Gospel of Matthew we see Joseph transition to standing for justice.
In Matthew 1:18
“Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,* but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,* yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord*appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.”
The Gospel tells us Joseph was righteous, didn’t want to expose Mary to shame. The step to Justice comes when he is obedient to God’s messenger told him. In verse 24 ”When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.”
You see church we are called to act in righteousness and justice. We can allow fear to hold us back. An open heart to hear God speaking to us would be our approach. We work as Custodians for Justice and Ambassadors for Christ.. The apostles do the same, what happens in the Gospel is that they return to their former way of life. Not knowing what to do they result to doing what they know and thats fishing. Jesus comes into their midst but this time they recognize Jesus as he offers them breakfast, that is in the breaking of bread.
Like Joseph and the Apostles we can act out of our fears, or just return to the things we’ve done in the past. We are called through our justice ministry and our service of those on the peripheries to trust God’s word and be custodians for justice and am ambassadors for Christ. Our Joshua Assembly on May 9th is a chance to renew our commitment, and be custodians of justice. Come out and put our faith and trust into action. Monday May 9th at Holy Family parish Let’s stand FAST together.
Memorare to St. Joseph
Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.
Act of Consecration to St. Joseph
O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.