Joseph, Guardian of Jesus

Although St. Patrick’s day was a really big deal in Chicago, St. Joseph’s day got its celebration as well, especially in the Italian community. The big deal was a feast with an elaborately decorated St. Joseph’s Table full of meatless dishes (it is Lent) and featuring zeppole, a fried dough pastry often filled with custard.

It’s too bad most Lutherans miss this celebration. We give Joseph only passing notice in the Christmas story where he was considering divorcing Mary and God had to send him an angel in a dream to warn him not to do that. What always amazes me is that Joseph does exactly what God tells him. I could hear him saying, “Well, if this is what God wants, I’m not going to argue.” How many of us would take that position?

Life must have been hard in first-century Judea. Any parent would have had a tough time providing for a family. There were at least seven children in Joseph’s family. How much harder was it when you’ve been told one son “will save his people from their sins”?

Martin Luther taught that being a father or mother was a divine calling. I agree. I would have gotten nowhere without the support of my parents. They made this world a little better, which is what should be a goal of all of us.

Joseph is an inspiration to all of use who live out what we think of as an ordinary life, while that life is really part of God’s plan.

Read Matthew 1:18-25 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne