Jesus is fully human and fully divine, a truth beautifully reinforced as we celebrate St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. As the divine Son of God, Jesus was conceived by the Blessed Virgin through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph has no role in this miraculous conception. However, while Jesus’ divine nature is eternal and unchangeable, his human nature is no different from our own.

As one fully human, Jesus needed to grow and learn. The mysterious interplay between his divinity and humanity is something we cannot fully comprehend. However, the Church affirms that he was like us in all things except sin (cf. Hebrews 4:15, 4th Eucharistic Prayer). Likewise, the Gospel of Luke affirms that Jesus ‘increased in wisdom and in years…’ (Luke 2:52). Ideally, our humanity is formed within the context of a loving family, and thus, Joseph’s role as father was truly essential for Jesus’ growth and development.

Today, we give thanks for Joseph’s gentle presence as spouse, father, and protector. His goodness and compassion were instruments of divine providence, integral to the formation of Jesus’ human nature. Joseph is a model for fathers and a guide for all Christian families, underscoring the importance of family life and good parenting.

This feast, falling within Lent, serves as a particular call to fathers and to all those who offer fatherly support in our community. It reminds them of the dignity of their God-given role and the seriousness with which they should embrace it. May they promote holiness in their families, and by growing in the virtues that shape their caring and formative roles, may they foster those same virtues in the children entrusted to their care.

by Fr Michael Grace