The most courageous father ever to walk the earth.....

I've seen many great examples of fathers in my life.  I love my own father dearly and appreciate the ethical standard he has set for me.  Sure, there were plenty of times that I had disagreements with him, but for the most part, we get along wonderfully and I would sure be a worse person if he hadn't been there to shape my life.  My grandfathers were very different men, but both were strong father figures, each in there own special way.  My paternal grandfather was a quiet, reserved man, filled with faith and a belief in a hard work ethic, as he was a farmer and a truck driver.  My maternal grandfather also showed a strong work ethic, but was a bit more outspoken than my paternal grandfather.  Quick with a joke, he found humor in life to be a way to spread God's joy.  Between them, they had 14 kids, 9 on my father's side and 5 on my mother's.  Neither provided wealth for their families by society's standards, but both provided a strong foundation.

I also see great examples of fathers in my friends, my family, and my faith community.  I knew a man from church who raised his 13 kids alone after his wife passed away.  He definitely had his hands full, but I respect that he had a pew full of kids at church every Sunday, and they were well involved in church activities.  I know a father who has, with his wife, adopted and fostered several children, especially kids from very difficult circumstances.  Another man I know has an adult son with Down's Syndrome.  I always see them together at church serving as ushers.  They serve at the Knights of Columbus pancake breakfasts together.  He still finds time to volunteer at church and our school, and when he sees my kids he makes a special effort to say hello. 

With all of these great examples of fatherhood, I still look to St. Joseph as the ultimate example of courageous fatherhood.  Not much is said about Joseph in the bible, but what is said is illuminating to how much fortitude it took to be a foster father to the Son of God. 

Joseph was a carpenter in a small town.  He was betrothed to a young woman who had vowed virginity.  One day, Mary lets it be known the revelation told to her by the angel Gabriel.  At this moment, Joseph made the decision to divorce Mary quietly, in an effort to avoid what would quite possibly be the stoning of Mary as an adultress.  Joseph probably had doubts in his mind at this time about Mary's fidelity, but he still had the integrity and the love for Mary to find a way that would save her life.  If the story of Joseph had ended here, that would say a lot about the kind of man Joseph was.  It was God's will, though, that his Son be born of the line of David, of which Joseph came.  This was to fulfill scripture that the familial line of David would rule the Kingdom of God always, as Jesus would be the King of Kings.  God needed Joseph to be the earthly father to a boy who would be both God and Man.  The angel appeared to Joseph.  His announcement was not "Obey me Joseph," or "Here is the command of the Lord, Joseph."  Rather, his opening was, "Fear not, Joseph."  Joseph was being called to be courageous.

The hardships endured during the journey to Bethlehem, the joy of the birth of the Christ, and the subsequent flight to Egypt took a special man to handle.  Imagine traveling dangerous route to Bethlehem, finding no place fit for Mary to give birth, setting up a meager manger as a bed, and then being warned to flee to avoid Harod's wrath back to Egypt, the land where Joseph's and Mary's ancestors had once been slaves.  Imagine the wonder in Joseph's mind if he would be able to teach Jesus anything, knowing his Father was the Creator, and that Jesus shared in that divinity. 

I look at St. Joseph as a great example of how to father my children.  While I know my children are not divine, I still am in awe that God has trusted me with their care.  I know how I have failed my God many times throughout my life, and yet He has more faith in me than I have in Him.  I know that my kids have a lot to learn, so don't wonder if I will be able to teach them things - I know they are sponges looking for me to teach them.  I just wonder if I will be able to teach them the right way.  I know I cannot do it alone, so I put my trust in God.  I praise the Father for all of creation, I tearfully rejoice that the Son has redeemed us from the wickedness of sin, and I invite the Holy Spirit to guide me and strengthen me.  Amen.