Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
March 19, 2010
St. Joseph Day

A few years ago a movie came out during the Christmas Holidays entitled "The Nativity". I went to see it and subsequently bought a personal copy in DVD. Since then I have begun a ritual that happens sometime in Advent. I spend a night or two watching the movie.

Naturally, I know the Christmas Story as well as any Christian. But what I like most about this movie is the way that St. Joseph is portrayed. He comes across to me as a man, a younger man, a real protector both of Mary and the Baby Jesus.

I have always imagined St. Joseph much in the way that the movie shows him. He questioned, as any betrothed would, the condition of his wife-to-be. He does so with respect but not without the "human wondering" that had to go with it. He loved his engaged and wanted to protect her when the law of Moses called for stiff punishment. An adulteress was stoned.

The whole situation is worked out when Joseph is notified in a dream that it's okay. Mary is under a divine shadow. The Holy Spirit is at work. We call Joseph a man of faith. His faith is demonstrated as the story of the birth of Jesus is played out.

You see the strong Joseph who confronts danger head on.

One particularly touching scene shows the young husband exhausted at the end of a difficult day. Mary is talking to him as she is gently washing his feet with cool water until she realizes that Joseph is fast asleep - dead tired after the events of the day.

Sounds familiar to any good man doing his job of pater familias.

As we remember Joseph today, we remember and celebrate a model of manhood, of husbandhood, of faith, trust and love.

I strongly suggest the Movie.

Pax et Bonum