Wednesday, 3/19/14
Today is the Feast of St. Joseph, husband of Mary, and Foster
Father of Jesus. The Bible described him as a just man.
In celebrating his feast we could honor all the husbands and
fathers who carry out their countless duties, being careful to give the example
of being just.
Once sixty or seventy years ago a priest friend and I
dropped by my sister’s house after her husband had a drink that made him cranky.
He started talking about how us priests always had the church to take care of
us, while he had no help with his nine kids who made constant demands on
him. I so much resented his line of thought that I went out and sat in the car
while my priest friend stayed talking.
Now, living on my priest’s pension, and looking back on that
evening; I’ve come to see that my brother-in-law was right. Every father is
like St. Joseph, with tons of obligations loaded on him.
Those fathers pay all the bills, bandage every knee, while
giving a good example for their children.
With all that, they often go unnoticed. I think of the times when I left tools out to rust in the rain. My father would try reasoning with me, saying, “That monkey wrench was mine. I am a person who has a right to own things.”
With all that, they often go unnoticed. I think of the times when I left tools out to rust in the rain. My father would try reasoning with me, saying, “That monkey wrench was mine. I am a person who has a right to own things.”
I remember sleeping across the room from my father. We’d talk
a bit, then, he’d say, “Be quiet. I’m saying my prayers.” Fathers who need a
lot of prayers should pray to St. Joseph.
No comments:
Post a Comment