Saturday, March 19, 2022 — Saint Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary — Blessed are the inhabitants of your house, Lord: they will be able to sing to you again — Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 2, 41-51

On the occasion of the feast of Saint Joseph, the Church offers us as Gospel, Jesus child in the Temple. Joseph assumes his paternal role in the education of the child Jesus. Here are some of the educational traits, which could be a reference to all Christian fathers.

With the Virgin Mary his wife, Saint Joseph accompanied their son to the Temple. He wants his Son to get used to prayer, to have a taste for the encounter with God. How many fathers today neglect the spiritual education of their children. They entrust this task to their wives or to the catechists; some do not even go to church to consecrate the day of the Lord, instead they indulge in entertainment. They forget that if everyone assumes their duty according to their characteristic in this area, the children grow up serenely with balance. Children need role models, not words, and the most convincing benchmark is seeing the father and mother go to church together.

With the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph is concerned about the disappearance of their son, he cares and above all, he feels his absence. Saint Joseph has a sense of responsibility towards his child.

With Jesus' insightful answer, Saint Joseph understood that children will always be mysteries for parents who must listen to them attentively. Parents cannot plan the vocation of their children in advance because God has a plan for each of them.

Thank God for giving us an understanding and caring model of parenting in Saint Joseph.