Fathers
What was it like for Joseph to hold the newborn Jesus? How was it for him to hold a mystery? What did it mean to Joseph’s understanding of life that he was being called to father God’s child?
Today is a special day in New Zealand to recognise all the dads and father figures in our lives and celebrate the role that fathers play. Joseph was indeed the one who was the father figure for Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Imagine that; being a carpenter of Nazareth, and what is asked of you with Mary your wife, is to guide in life the only Son of God!
It could seem that the Scriptures of this Sunday, and the celebration of Fathers’ Day may only have a link at a stretch. Yet, in a real way what is asked of the disciple in the Gospel, is certainly asked of all who are fathers, and are father figures to others. There are analogies of military and construction planning in the Gospel. The point of the analogies is that as disciples we need to be vigilant. We need to be vigilant in regard to letting go of the things in life that we seek to possess, both materially and in our relationships with others.
We are never able to ‘own’ another person. And when becoming overly attached to material possessions we fall into the danger of replacing God in our lives with idols made from human hands and minds. Only Jesus can bring us to fullness of life. We cannot be a god for another, nor can another be a god for us. Hence our need for vigilance in not seeking to possess or be possessed.
As Joseph held the child of Mary, shared with him to be fathered, he knew his need to be vigilant in how he would nurture this wee babe. He knew that he was being entrusted with a precious gift who would look to him, learn from him, and be like him in so many ways. Thank you, St Joseph, and thank you to all fathers who guide us in life.
Prayers, patrick
