Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins.

And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife.
Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father this one is done a bit late in the day, but it is after all about the earthly father to your son. You chose him to be the one who will teach your Son the many ways of faith. He is a model that you selected personally to show the men of this world how to be fathers after your own heart. It's just really sad when we read of men who abuse their children in many ways, or abandon them because they don't want the responsibility. Joseph was chosen to take on a wife who was already with child and not one of his own and he gladly said yes to the task. There are some men in this world who do the same, they become fathers to other mens children and do a very fine job of it too. These men have more than the job of raising children, they have the same task set before them as Joseph, to nurture and bring up the child in faith. To love as God loves. Sometimes work, and our own desires get in the way of teaching our children the right way to live. If we aren't following it ourselves why should they. Fathers be the role model set before you as Joseph also was chosen, so are you. Don't let time slip by where you find your child grown and gone lost without morals or faith as their guide.