Meditation today: the greatness of St. Joseph

The greatness of St. Joseph: when Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his house. Matthew 1:24 What is it that made it San Giuseppe so great? It was not conceived as flawlessly as our Blessed Mother was. He was not divine like Jesus. But he was the head of the Holy Family, its guardian and its supplier.

He became the legal father of the Savior of the world and the spouse of the Mother of God. But Joseph is not great just because he was granted privilei so amazing. First of all, he was awesome for the choices he made in life. Today's Gospel refers to him as a "righteous man" and as a man who "did as the angel of the Lord commanded him". Therefore, his greatness is mainly due to his moral righteousness and obedience to God's will.

St. Joseph was the head of the Holy Family

Obedience of Joseph is seen above all in the fact that he obeyed the voice of God that was given to him in the four dreams recorded in the Scriptures. In his first dream, Joseph is told: “Don't be afraid to bring Mary, your wife, into your home. Because it is through the Holy Spirit that this child was conceived in her. He will have a son and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins ”(Matthew 1: 20–21).

In his second dream, Joseph is told: “Get up, take the baby and his mother, flee to Egypt and stay there until I tell you. Herod will seek the child to destroy him ”(Matthew 2:13). In his third dream, Joseph is told: "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the life of the child are dead" (Matthew 2:20). And in his fourth dream, Joseph is warned to go to Galilee rather than Judea instead (Matthew 2:22).

Reflect today on the unique vocation of Saint Joseph

When these dreams are read in succession, it is clear that St. Joseph was attentive to the voice of God. We all have dreams, but the dreams of Giuseppe were different. They were clear communications from God and required an available recipient. Joseph was open to God's voice and listened with faith as that voluntary recipient.

The greatness of St. Joseph: Joseph also answered with totality submission and full determination. The commands received from Joseph were not insignificant. His obedience required that he and his family travel great distances, establish residence in unknown countries, and do so in faith.

It is also clear that Joseph took hers seriously vocation. Pope St. John Paul II gave him the title of "Guardian of the Redeemer". Over and over again, he has shown his unwavering commitment to his role as the guardian of his legal Son, Jesus, and his wife, Mary. He spent his life providing for them, protecting them and offering them the heart of a father.

Joseph was open to God's voice

Reflect today on the unique vocation of Saint Joseph. Meditate in particular on the early years of his marriage and the resurrection of Jesus. Consider his fatherly commitment to care for, provide, and protect his Son. We must all seek to imitate the virtues of St. Joseph by protecting the presence of Christ in our hearts, in the hearts of our family and friends, and in the world as a whole. Pray to St. Joseph, asking him to help you follow his example so that the hidden presence of our Lord in our life may grow and come to full maturity.

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God has entrusted his only-begotten Son; in you Mary has placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, show us father too and guide us on the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage and defend us from all evil. Amen. (Prayer of Pope Francis)