March 19 2019 - Solemnity of St. Joseph - The righteous man

Today, we celebrate the feast of the great St. Joseph. And throughout the Church’s history, Joseph has accumulate many titles and nicknames. Sometimes he is called “the Guardian of the Holy Family” because of his role in protecting Mary and Joseph. Sometimes is he called the “Terror of Demons” because he did not fall to the temptations of the demons throughout his life and helps us to remain faithful to God and protected from evil, too.

And quite often, Joseph is simply known as a righteous man. A righteous man is someone who seek to understand what is right and to do what is right—always. Sometimes this isn’t always our concern is it?

WEEKDAY MASS:[Is it right to gossip? Is it right to skip the prayers we know we should be saying? Is it right to skip our household duties? Is it right to watch so much television? Is it right to be so undisciplined about our diet?]

SCHOOL MASS:[Is it right to fight with your siblings? Is it right to talk back to and disobey your parents? Is it right to be disruptive in school? Is it right to skip church on Sundays? Is it right to speak cruelly about your peers?]

No. So why do we do these things? Partly, because we aren’t always seeking to do what is right. It’s not a priority. We haven’t made the life decision: I will only do what is right. Some of us make the decision partially, but we aren’t truly committed because we then add a little caveat: “well, I’ll decide what is right when the time comes.” But as Christians, we don’t make up what is right or wrong: we follow the teachings of Jesus and the Church.

But even when we choose to fully embrace the truth that comes from God, to do what is right, always, is still hard. Partially, because of our own weakness. We’ll do what is right, as long as it is not too hard. And doing what is right always is difficult because we have so many bad examples of unrighteousness around us. And we set bad example for each other.

In movies, television, and video games, we see people treating each other horribly. We see athletes who make a bunch of money, but act foolishly. We see actors and actresses who are famous but who live as if God did not exist. We see politicians with foul mouths, greedy hearts, and corrupt morals. Sometimes even are parents don’t set the best examples for us.

That is why it is so important to get to know people like St. Joseph. Just men. Righteous men. Who put God’s will first. You want to see what it looks like to be a good person, go to joseph. You want to see what it looks like to be a good father, a good parent. Go Joseph. You want to see what it looks like to be successful in the eyes of God? Go to Joseph. You want to see someone who listens to the words, and impulses of God, look to Joseph. You want to see someone who is truly just, truly wise, truly generous, truly virtuous, truly chaste, truly prudent, truly knowledgeable, truly loving. Go to Joseph.

Go to Joseph every day. Look to his example. Ask for his prayers for you and your family, especially for all fathers and husbands. Ask him to help you to be righteous always. To look to the truth of Jesus, always. To commit to following that truth no matter now difficult it is. To live always for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
That St. Joseph, “Patron of the Universal Church” may guide and guard our Holy Father, all bishops and clergy, religious and lay faithful from the wiles and machinations of the Enemy.
That St. Joseph, “diligent protector” of the Christ Child, will help protect all children from violence and evil, especially the unborn.
That St. Joseph, “Guardian of Virgins” will help eradicate perversion and immodesty from our culture.
That St. Joseph, “Pillar of Families”, will be an example for all Christian families.
That St. Joseph “terror of demons” will help to deliver all those in sin, and all those under demonic influence, to be open to the saving mercy of Christ.
That St. Joseph “patron of the dying” will help all the dying to know the tender peace of God.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.