Saint Joseph

He's the protector of the universal church and the terror of demons. We're talking about Saint Joseph.

This is the Catholic Frequency Podcast.

Saint Joseph is the spouse of the blessed Virgin Mary, and he's the foster father of Jesus. And he's a man worth looking up to, especially for guys today.

Saint Joseph shows us what it means to be strong, faithful, and good. Now Saint Joseph wasn't rich or famous. He was a simple carpenter, a hard worker who used his hands to provide for his family. He protected Mary and Jesus even when it meant leaving everything behind to keep them safe. He didn't complain or brag.

He just did what was needed to be done. That's an example of real strength, stepping up for the people you love even when it's tough. Saint Joseph is a great example to remind us to be steady, dependable, and faithful. Pope Francis admires Saint Joseph so much that he made sure that Saint Joseph's name got added to the Eucharistic prayers, you know, the prayer that the priests say during the consecration of mass. Now Pope Francis did this because he wanted us to remember Saint Joseph's quiet, powerful role in god's plan.

It's the church gently reminding us, don't forget about Saint Joseph. He's a pretty big deal in the church. Over the years, several popes have written about Saint Joseph. We can go back to 1889 when pope Leo the thirteenth wrote an encyclical calling Saint Joseph a protector of the church and a model for workers and fathers. In 2021, pope Francis wrote With a Father's Heart to celebrate a hundred fifty years since Saint Joseph was named patron of the universal church.

Pope Francis used an interesting phrase. He called him a father in the shadows, someone who did not seek attention, but loved and served with his whole heart. Now in both these examples, popes are writing about Saint Joseph almost two thousand years after he lived. He's still very relevant to our lives today. You know what's interesting?

Saint Joseph never says a single word in the gospels, not one. But his actions, they are loud and clear. When the angel told him in a dream that Mary's baby was from God, he didn't argue. He didn't doubt. He didn't ask 50 questions.

He trusted God and took Mary as his wife, even though people might have gossiped about her pregnancy. Later, when the angel warned him to flee to Egypt because King Herod wanted to kill Jesus, Joseph didn't hesitate. He got up that night and took his family to safety. His obedience saved the savior of the world. Saint Joseph teaches us that you don't need words to show faith.

Your choices, your actions can say it all. Saint Joseph had many amazing qualities. He was just, a good and honest man who followed god's law. He was humble, never putting himself first. He was brave, facing danger to protect his family.

And he was faithful, trusting God even when things didn't make sense. These virtues make him a saint, and we can all try to copy them, especially men who are charged with leading their families. The last time we see Saint Joseph in the gospels is in Luke chapter two when Jesus is 12 years old. Mary and Joseph take him to Jerusalem for a feast. But on the way home, they realize that Jesus is missing.

They search for three days. Imagine how worried they were. Finally, they find him in the temple talking with the teachers. Joseph doesn't say anything here either, but you can feel his steady presence, supporting Mary and trusting god. After this, the gospels don't mention him again, so many think he might have passed away before Jesus grew up and started his ministry.

But even in his last scene, he's quietly doing his job, raising Jesus and keeping the family together. Let us pray. Saint Joseph, teach us to trust God, protect our loved ones, and live in faith. And pray for us so we can follow your example every day. Amen.