“A Creatively Courageous Father” If you were on Jeopardy the question would be: Who was St. Joseph? As we continue with Pope Frances’ Apostolic Letter “Patris Corde” this is the title he gives to the fifth section. One of the things I enjoy about writing these short reflections is it gives me a chance to think a little deeper on the meaning of what it written and then how it applies to my faith life and journey as a member of God’s family.
What does it mean to be “creatively courageous” in our life? Pope Francis writes, “for all the arrogance and violence of worldly powers, God always finds a way to carry out his saving plan. So too, our lives may at times seem to be at the mercy of the powerful, but the Gospel shows us what counts. God always finds a way to save us…who was able to turn a problem into a possibility by trusting always in divine providence.” (#5)
Pope Frances uses the many struggles and dangers that marked the early stories of Jesus’ life and the life of the Holy Family. Joseph did not push back with force or anger rather he discovered and found the different road where the care and protecting of Mary and Jesus became his life’s work and his life’s joy.
I think this is one aspect of Christian courage we can often forget and ignore. Each virtue, including courage, should be underpinned with the joy of serving God. Being a courageous father or mother is a joyful experience in seeing the family grow in faith, hope and charity. “Courage! God asks of us only our good will; His grace does the rest. What I am most afraid of, is let you should be discouraged. The Christian motto is Hope! Hope on! Hope ever!” (St. Theophane Vernard) With St. Joseph we are called to rely on God’s gift of grace trusting when we choose to act with courage he will supply us with the sufficient strength to live out our actions. The good will and joy we should show in not the false sense of “Don’t worry…be happy” but the reality of knowing we are part of something much greater and more beautiful than the momentary flashes of the world.
Each of us is asked to share in the caring and loving one another: to be a guardian of life. “The Son of the Almighty came into our world in a state of great vulnerability. He needed to be defended, protected, cared for and raised by Joseph. God trusted Joseph, as did Mary, who found in him someone who would not only save her life, but would always provide for her and her child. In this sense, Saint Joseph could not be other than the Guardian of the Church.” (#5) And while this is serious business, it is also filled with grace, joy and blessings. I often reflect on this as my role as priest and pastor. We can hear the words of the Church; to guard and care for the salvation of souls as something from long ago and old fashioned but when I was first assigned as pastor of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Morgan Hill and then at St. Lucy Parish the weight of those words are a reality where I am called to care for the souls of all who live in the community. But the reality is, while it is a weighty obligation, the call is also one filled with the relationships and graces of so many wonderful and caring people who fill my soul, and guard my soul and together we act in creative courage in sharing the faith of Jesus Christ.
Growing up I didn’t think of my parents as “creatively courageous” but after reading and praying over this section of the letter I can understand how they were often creatively courageous in raising nine children. This act of courage is often facing the small problems and struggles in life and finding ways of bringing joy. They became guardians of our little souls in sharing and passing on the faith. Their creative courage often came in the form of just figuring out the daily moments of life in the laughter and tears of their children.
And while this obligation was a burden the joy and blessings were also filled with the fruitful love of hope. In the small and creatively courageous acts they lived and taught charity of caring and sharing life. As Pope Frances reminds us, “From Saint Joseph, we must learn that same care and responsibility. We must learn to love the child and his mother, to love the sacraments and charity, to love the Church and the poor. Each of these realities is always the child and his mother.”(#5)
God Bless
Fr. Mark
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.