St. Joseph, a faithful man, always reflecting the faithfulness of God

Whether we’re clergy or laity, married or single, male or female, young or old, working or retired, healthy or sick, wealthy or poor … God calls us all to be faithful in our particular state in life.  

Among other characteristics, one who is faithful is found to be dependable, conscientious, committed to others, doesn’t give up in times of difficulty and hardship, fulfills duties and keeps promises, and remains true to him/herself and to God.

St. Joseph is a model of faithfulness par excellence.

In Pope Leo XIII’s 1889 Encyclical, Quanquam Pluries, which designated March 19 as the Feast of Saint Joseph, the Holy Father wrote: “Scripture says little about Joseph, other than that he was ‘just,’ that is, a person who was virtuous in every way (kept the Law).

His importance is recognized by the stupendous trust given to him as Guardian of the Christ Child and Spouse of the Mother of God.  He was not a man of words but of deeds.”  In the Bible, Joseph is portrayed as a man of silence, a man of a profound interior life, a humble Jew who was faithful to his God and to his family.

In times of difficulty, Joseph turned to God in holy silence and prayer and waited for an answer.  Joseph accepted, with unwavering trust and quiet obedience, whatever God asked of him. Although he didn’t understand what the outcome might be, like Mary, he responded positively to the directives given in dreams by angels sent to guide him.

Joseph was recognized as both the spiritual and legal head of his household. Because of his complete fidelity to his vocation as spouse of Mary and foster father of Jesus, Joseph stands out as a model for husbands and fathers. He fed, protected, and sheltered his family, and with fatherly care, taught Jesus the skills of his trade.  

Recognizing Joseph’s role as foster father of Jesus, Pope Francis added five words to be inserted after the Eucharistic Prayer – “with blessed Joseph, her spouse,” to reflect the Church’s growing interest in “fatherly care.”

At his inaugural Mass, Pope Francis said, “St. Joseph appears as a strong and courageous man, a working man, yet in his heart we see great tenderness, which is not the virtue of the weak, but rather a sign of strength of spirit and a capacity for concern, for compassion, for genuine openness to others, for love."

Now, more than ever, as Pope Leo XIII concluded in his encyclical, “What the world needs is faithful and devoted men like St. Joseph; men who stick to their job, fulfill their duty and measure up to their responsibility.” Obviously, this applies to women and children as well, for faithful people reflect God’s faithfulness.  

Find us faithful, Lord!

Jeanette Martino Land has been a freelance Christian writer since 1990 and has been published by numerous publications, including Ligouri Publications.