Pillar of Families

St. Joseph was the Pillar of the Holy Family. Throughout those unseen years of Christ's youth, it was Joseph who built and guided a family worthy of the Son of God. What a mountain of a man Joseph must have been to deserve the honorable obedience of our Savior! It is hard enough for the average man to handle the stress of running a normal household, with normal children. Yet somehow St. Joseph could withstand the weight and power of the Creator of Heaven and Earth, living amongst him, looking up to him with the eyes of a child. What an awesome responsibility!

In these times of terrible confusion about family and fatherhood in our decaying society, let us look to St. Joseph. All men must strive to foster a pious and fervent devotion to him. How else do we expect to lead our families well? In an apparition to St. Mary Ephrem, St. Joseph said,

"The imitation of the Holy Family, my child, of the virtues we practiced in our little home at Nazareth is the way for all souls to that peace which comes from God alone and which none other can give."^xvi

Beg St. Joseph for the grace to imitate him; to have a holy headship over your family. This, too, is an awesome responsibility, yet God has entrusted it to you.

As Christ Himself looked to Joseph, carrying heavy loads of wood on his shoulders from forest to workshop; let us look to the man who showed the Child Jesus how to carry His forthcoming Cross, for inspiration to carry ours.

St. Joseph, Pillar of Families, Pray for me! Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.

Daily Challenge

What heavy crosses are you bearing? Unite them with Jesus. Invite your family members to do the same. Take the time to ask them and pray with them today so that they may also learn how to seek God's will and His strength to carry their cross. Receive His peace.