Pope Francis has declared 2021 as the Year of St Joseph. Please read the following reflection piece and prayer that outlines the important role that Fathers can play in the life of their family. We take inspiration from Saint Joseph, who stoically supported and was present to care for Jesus as child and then young man. At the bottom of this article there is a short list of 7 things that a Son needs from his father. This can be used to reflect on throughout the Year of St Joseph in 2021.
St Joseph
“While the Gospels do not record any words Saint Joseph might have spoken, the eloquent silence nonetheless allows us a glimpse into his character. Righteous. Obedient. Pure. Humble. Silent (contemplative). Husband. Protector and guardian of the Saviour and the Blessed Virgin. Saint Joseph experienced the same difficulties in life we all do, yet he lived an exemplary life. Saint Joseph was a man possessed of unwavering faith and utmost trust in God’s providence. God was first and foremost, above all, in Saint Joseph’s life. In short, he is an upright man of faith and outstanding virtues. As such, he serves as a wonderful role model for us in today’s often unruly culture.
For Saint Joseph, doing God’s will was paramount. Saint Joseph never questioned what God told him and carried out God’s promptings without hesitation or delay – his response was immediate and he would carry out the task at hand the way God wanted it done. After the angel appeared to him in a dream, assuring him that Mary’s child was conceived through the Holy Spirit, Joseph took Mary into his home as his wife. After the visit of the magi, upon receiving the angel’s warning, Joseph wasted no time, immediately getting up and taking his little family and fleeing to Egypt in the middle of the night to escape King Herod’s murderous wrath. Later, after Herod’s death, the angel again instructed Joseph that it was time to return to the land of Israel, and while he probably intended to return to Bethlehem in Judea, chose rather to go to Nazareth in Galilee upon being warned by the angel that Herod’s son ruled Judea in his place. When God told Joseph to get up and go, Joseph unhesitatingly got up and went.
Saint Joseph was a man of action, obeying God’s will for him in the ordinary duties of daily life. He faithfully and tenderly loved, protected and provided for the Child Jesus and the Virgin Mary. He kept the Sabbath and went to the Temple in Jerusalem for the Passover. He did the ordinary things of everyday, ordinary life with love.”
By following Saint Joseph’s example, we can find considerable peace of mind in knowing we are faithfully doing the ordinary, little things that God wants us to do.
https://carmelitesistersocd.com/2017/a-reflection-on-st-joseph/
7 Things a Son Needs from His Father by Mark Merrill
As a boy grows up, there will be many people who will influence him and his development into adulthood. As a father, you want to be the main influence in this area. You are, and should be, his most important role model. Below are 7 things to help you be the best role model you can be in your son’s life:
- He needs you to love his mother.
When you love your wife, or the mother of your son, you are showing him how to treat his mother, his sisters, and all the women he’ll meet in his life. This will set the foundation for the relationships he will have later in his life. If you are divorced and the relationship is difficult, do what you can to treat his mother with respect.
- He needs to see you fail, not just succeed.
“The best teacher is failure. The best type of failure to learn from is someone else’s.”
The best teacher is failure. The best type of failure to learn from is someone else’s. When your son sees you fail, and handle the failure well, he sees that it is okay to make mistakes and that mistakes can be great teachers. A boy who is not afraid of making mistakes will grow into a man positioned to accept and conquer great challenges.
You may or may not be the boss at work. You may or may not be the pastor or minister at church. You may or may not be a leader in your community. But you are the leader of your family. Your son needs to see leadership in your home. He needs to see you leading by serving. When he sees you leading by serving, he will better understand leadership and be able to more effectively lead versus follow his peers. As he grows, he will better lead his family, lead at work, lead at church, and lead in his community.
- He needs you to be present.
As you fulfill all the different roles you have, you may be pulled in multiple directions. He needs you to be present in his education, in his social life, in all areas of his life. Some areas are not intended for mom only, or for his friends only. Your presence in all areas will give him the support he needs.
- He needs your love regardless of his choices.
You may be the biggest sports junkie not living in Bristol, CT (where ESPN headquarters are located). And your son may not be able to kick a ball if you placed it on his toe, nor care that he can’t. No matter what choices your son makes, he needs you to love him even if they are different than yours. Even when they are wrong choices. Your love and guidance will open the door to trust and acceptance that build your relationship. And it will build his self-esteem.
- He needs you to affirm him.
“I love you, son.” “I’m proud of you, son.” “You are amazing, son.” “I know you can do it, son.” “That was an amazing play you made!” “You are a hard worker.” “You messed up, but I know you’ll bounce back.” Your son needs your encouragement. He needs to hear the words that let him know you love having him as a son.
- He needs you to discipline him in love.
When you discipline your son, you set boundaries and expectations. He is going to make mistakes just like you did as a kid and just like you do now. But he also needs to know that his actions have consequences. Disciplining him in love will teach him to consider the consequences his actions will have. This will prepare him to think and evaluate the choices he makes both now and in the future.
https://www.allprodad.com/7-things-a-son-needs-from-his-father/
A Prayer for Fathers
God our father,
In your wisdom and love you made all things.
Bless those fathers who have taken up the responsibility of parenting and for those who support young people on their journey.
Bless those fathers who have taken upon themselves the responsibility of parenting.
Bless those who have lost a spouse to death, separation, or divorce, and who are parenting their children alone.
Strengthen all dads/ father figures by your love that they may become the loving, caring persons they are meant to be.
Grant this through Christ our Lord Amen.
Michael Monagle
Assistant Principal – Mission and Identity
Christus Lux Mea