a wonderful experience with his father - st joseph 2019

Today we celebrate the solemnity of St. Joseph, one of the two solemn feasts in the middle of Lent.  St. Joseph is referred to as Pepe, for in Spanish the double P stands for Padre Putativo, or the reputed father, not the real father but the reputed father.  That is why in the Philippines all Jose’s are nicknamed Pepe, not Joe I suppose.  

St. Joseph is father because primarily he was the guardian of the Holy Family and thus, traditionally, he is also considered the guardian of the church. He is also considered the patron of a happy death because when he died he was graced with the physical presence of Jesus and Mary.  As a priest I have seen a lot of difficult deaths, damo hawid kag makangilidlis. Since all of us will die, we better have a devotion to St. Joseph so that our deaths will be peaceful, well-prepared and dignified.  To speak of St. Joseph however, only in this way is to belittle his role in the life of Jesus.  It is true that he did not speak a single word in the whole of scriptures, but Jesus has spoken of him and his characteristics, though only indirectly.

When Jesus said can a father give his son a stone if he asks for bread. Where did he get this argument if not from his very own experience of his father Joseph.  Or what father among you would hand his son a snake if he asks for a fish?  Or who could have thought this wonderful story of the prodigal son and his merciful father?

If Jesus spoke thus he must have a wonderful father, a wonderful experience with his father.  This is how crucial the role of fathers is to the spiritual growth of their children. Jesus can relate well with his Father in heaven because he must have such a good father on earth.  Jesus spoke lovingly of his father in heaven because he must have such a loving father on earth.

Let us pray to St. Joseph for our families especially for all the fathers.