St. Joseph models a determination to do God's will

Pope Francis has called for this year to be dedicated to St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. We know that St. Joseph was a man of few words – actually, there is not a single quote attributed to him in the Bible – but he is someone whose towering example and presence in the lives of Jesus and Mary is a model for us all, and, particularly, for men.

As many of you may know, we had decided many months ago to declare 2021 as the Year of the Eucharist in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. We were far along in our planning for the Year of the Eucharist when the Holy Father announced last Dec. 8 that he wanted to dedicate 2021 to St. Joseph, so we incorporated his call into our own celebrations of the eucharistic year.

Coming out of the pandemic, each of us experienced a hunger for the Eucharist after having been deprived of the body and blood of Christ for so many months. Now, as Catholics are returning to Mass in much higher numbers, welcome to the table of the Lord!

This year, as Pope Francis has asked, we also want to focus our spiritual gaze on St. Joseph. We need to see him as not just the universal patron of the church and not just as the foster father of the Lord Jesus, but as a man – a human being who walked toward holiness.

Joseph faced very difficult problems. He was a man seeking holiness, and then he was told unexpectedly that he would have to take Mary as his wife, and she was with child. That’s not an easy thing to accept. The messenger of God came to St. Joseph in a dream and said, “Do not be afraid.” Still, that had to be challenging.

Joseph had a hard time finding a place for Jesus to be born, and, ultimately, his son was born in a barn. Right after the birth of Jesus, King Herod sent orders to kill all newborn males because he had heard the messiah was born and was concerned the messiah would take away his power. Joseph was full of fear and yet he was striving toward holiness. He took Mary and her newborn son away from Bethlehem so they would be safe. He died, leaving Mary without a husband and Jesus without a foster father.

I can just imagine Joseph holding his son in his arms. And Joseph says to you and to me, “I held him in my arms, but you must hold him in your heart.”

Joseph also tells us that we have to look at our weaknesses and deal with those in such a way that we can convert and continue to grow in holiness. That requires us to  know and love God with all of our hearts, and know and love others, even those who have hurt us, and forgive.

As a man, Joseph teaches us how to be men, first of all, and then he teaches us how to be men seeking God, allowing Jesus to live in our hearts and in our families. Whether we are single men, married men or men in the celibate state, he teaches us how to be a man of goodness, a man moving toward God, toward the Lord Jesus and toward holiness of life.

As we study St. Joseph, we learn there is a unique spirituality that is expressed by men. St. Joseph was a man of strength and courage, but he also was a man who knew and embraced fear. He was scared at times. At times he had more questions than answers about the anxiety and ambiguity of his life. But, in Joseph, we see a man who trusts in his living God, knowing that God was his Father. And so, for you and for me as men, we want to grow in our spirituality. We want to grow in our relationship with the Lord Jesus. And that's what this year is about. And it also reminds us that as we grow in this spirituality, we can be witnesses to others.

As Mary is a unique model for women, Joseph is a unique model for men. St. Joseph continues to be a model for me and is praying with you and for you. I encourage all men to seek spiritual growth through the sacraments and through the opportunities provided by many parishes for men to gather in small groups for prayer, support and healthy, Christian accountability. More information on those men’s groups can be found at www.nolacatholicmen.com.

Questions for Archbishop Aymond may be sent to [email protected].