St. Joseph

Today is St. Joseph's solemnity. It's normally celebrated on March 19th, but since that was a Lenten Sunday this year, it got migrated to the next available day. It's one of two celebrations of St. Joseph, actually. Today celebrates his role as husband of Mary, and May 1st is the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. Same guy, two feast days celebrating different aspects of his life. The latter date is celebrated secularly in communist or socialist countries as May Day, which seems ironic for those nations which have outlawed religion. At the same time, it leaves me a bit hopeful, as I think of St. Joseph praying for those who have things out of spiritual balance.

Today's feast, however, tends to remind me of both my shortcomings and strengths as a husband. I find myself grateful for the opportunity to be a vastly better husband than the record would have declared ten years ago, and a better one today than yesterday. Just a year ago I'd probably have been a bit morose over my failings, both the larger ones of the past and my current smaller ones. Now I think I have a better perspective on both. Maybe that's because I'm more focused on the present than I've ever been. We can't change the past, no matter how much I'd like to, so I need to focus on being the husband and family man I'm called to be today.

We get less of St. Joseph than I'd like in the gospels, but it's clear that he strove to do God's will, as a husband and a father. We tend not to think in such terms today, but when we do, we tend to find ourselves a lot more fulfilled. Chasing after nebulous mirages leaves us feeling empty, wanting. But we can know pretty well what God wants for us, always generally, and often specifically. He wants us to love well, to give ourselves fully. Contrary to our modern approach to life, that isn't primarily about what we feel (but that's a whole 'nother post).

And paradoxically, giving ourselves fully never leaves us empty.

St. Joseph, pray for us.