Solemnity of Saint Joseph

Readings of the Day

Today’s readings are about fatherhood and go to the heart of being “parented” through our relationships with God and other people. Since we celebrate St. Joseph as the best possible example of fathering and parenting, let’s talk about how his example can inspire us as we guide and support those we serve through Catholic Charities’ many ministries.

Parenting is not limited to blood relationships, as we all know. This is particularly true of the activities of nurturing, guiding, and providing direction that we describe as fathering. Many of you reading this can identify persons whose caring and support provided a caring and helpful relationship that touched your life and changed you. Think about it; may God bless each of them.

Let’s think of the word “father” as an active verb. In our services and ministries with Catholic Charities and similar agencies we have many opportunities to turn to St. Joseph’s example and ask ourselves how he would “father” in different situations. Foster and adoptive families provide the most literal example, as Joseph provided a life-long commitment to Jesus. For those whose unemployment is transformed through skills training and mentoring, Joseph was a carpenter and would share his skills. For those who have wandered away from their family, Joseph would seek them out, gently invite them to return, and then provide the support they need. We, women and men, “father” in the spirit of Joseph when we listen with compassion and counsel the depressed or mentally ill; when we dare to reach into the lives of those lost in addiction and offer them hope and help; when we provide food for the hungry and shelter for the homeless; when we provide instruction for the young or the immigrant; when we intervene for those who are facing injustice; when we reach out to comfort those who have lost everything to disaster and then help them re-build.

We are all called to share the gifts of fathering with those we serve.  Let’s use St. Joseph as a reference point and always remember that “fathering” is a mutually nurturing relationship coming from the heart of God, through our hearts and skills to touch the heart of persons in need.  Investing service with an awareness of fathering can open a future to those who desperately need that nurturing presence to move toward a more peaceful and fulfilling life.

Sister Mary Louise Stubbs, a Daughter of Charity, has served in a variety of roles in health and social ministries, including several in Catholic Charities agencies and CCUSA committees. Currently she directs the Daughters of Charity International Project Services which develops resources for programs in low-resourced and developing countries.

Sign up to receive the Daily Lent Reflection emails and other CCUSA messages here.