Religious Education News
Father's Day
Father’s Day is on Sunday, a day to celebrate fatherhood. Just like on Mother’s Day, we honor not just dads, but grandfathers, big brothers, uncles, whom we call “Father,” and anyone else who fulfills a fatherly role for others. It is good to also give praise to the ultimate “Abba”: God, our loving Father, on this day.
We have a wonderful role model in St Joseph, the most beloved earthly father of Jesus. Joseph was chosen by God, just as Mary was, to raise Jesus and provide a necessary role as His father all the years they had together. God knew Joseph’s heart was good and that he would make a wonderful dad, husband and faithful leader of their family.
What exactly did St. Joseph model for contemporary dads?
He showed up.
St. Joseph participated in salvation history by being a husband to Mary and a foster father to Jesus. He trusted in God and became the foundation for the Holy Family.
He was tender.
Our conception of gender roles sometimes confuses this issue. If God our Heavenly Father, is unfailingly tender in His love for us, it stands to reason that His faithful servant, St. Joseph, would have modeled that tenderness towards Jesus. This Christmas card below depicts the image of an exhausted Mary passed out in the straw while Joseph carefully cradles the infant Jesus.
He was accepting.
Mary’s pregnancy had to have been pretty shocking for him. Yet, St. Joseph was sensitive enough to fully embrace her and the future that they were creating together.
He was courageous.
When Herod threatened Jesus’ life, St. Joseph prepared his family and immediately fled to Egypt. This part of the infancy narratives relates to immigrantion and migrant fathers in the present day and throughout history who have made an untold number of personal sacrifices and hardships to offer a better life for their children.
He was obedient.
By listening to the angel and his dreams, St. Joseph guided the course of salvation history.
“Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.”
Peregoy, Janelle. (2022) With a Father’s Heart. Retrieved from https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/with-a-fathers-heart
Vicky Pejic
Religious Education Leader