Celebrating Saint Joseph in the midst of a storm

We celebrate today in the midst of the fasting season and of a worldwide storm, the blessed memory of Joseph the righteous, the guardian and the keeper of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

It is hard indeed for us to take a break from our worries and incertitude in order to look at this so beloved figure in the history of the Church. But right under these circumstances we must look at him and ask for his help and support.

Joseph, the humble father, the just and silent man, man of dreams, surrendered to God’s will and able to discern the internal and external voices… the man who was able to do the unexpected, and to walk in the darkness hand in hand with God.

What could have we done without him? What redemption would have been possible with only a single mother and a baby under threat since the very moment of his birth? What redemption would have been possible with a lame family of refugees, moving back and forth from and to the Promised Land?

We owe him a lot. And we owe him great appreciation and love because in his greatness he did not play the hero, but rather made himself little and did what he had to do, in modesty, dedication, acting against the stream.

In these historical moments we are invited to be and to live like him: a loving and supporting presence, generous and completely available to God. Our empty hands we stretch out to God, asking Him how we can be useful and how we can contribute to the realization of His plan for the humankind.

Today we pray for our fathers, those who gave us life, those who raised us, or not.

For our spiritual fathers and all those who inspired us and contributed to what we have become.

For our Father Pope Francis, our Bishop and all the pastors of our communities.

All of them we entrust to the humble and silent prayer of Joseph the Just.