Page 107 - Reflections on St. Joseph

By comparison, Joseph was a poor carpenter who settled in a little village and humbly provided
the needs of his family. We can imagine him working in a modest carpenter’s shop with Jesus
day in and day out. Scriptures paint us a portrait of an assuming man who does not put himself
forward. Not a single one of his words is recorded, but his faith in action and humble service
speak volumes. He was there silently serving in the background at the birth of Jesus, the
presentation in the temple, and the finding of Jesus at the age of twelve.

Instead of the brash and flashy superstar as a male icon in the centre stage, we sorely need this
inspiring model of humble service. Joseph reminds the fathers and the “spiritual fathers” that
our actions and attitude of genuine service really do matter. With the young observing us our
humble service can make a real difference in how they eventually turn out someday.

The “‘Abba’ Relationship” and the Prayer “Our Father”

It would have been impossible for St. Joseph to be the role model of human and “spiritual
fathers,” without mirroring his foster son Jesus’ “Abba” relationship. The biblical prayer “Our
Father” is traditionally called the “Lord’s prayer” because it was taught by Jesus to his disciples
(Lk. 11:1ff); however, understanding the role of Jewish fathers to their children, we have a
strong reason to believe that the prayer was probably learned earlier by Jesus from his human
father (or at least its basic elements) in the context of the ‘“Abba” relationship’ with His divine
Father.

Here again is the prayer: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us
our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but
rescue us from the evil one.” (NRSV, Catholic Student’s Edition, 1989) When Jesus introduced
the “Our Father” he invited the disciples to develop an intimate relationship with God the
Father. He mirrored to them the true Father – all-holy, almighty, holds all of creation, provider,
merciful, protector. Everyone then should relate to Him with this understanding. In their turn
the disciples must reflect in themselves to others the image of the one Father of all.

Thus, this filial prayer entrusted by Christ to His Church is very essential and important is the
life of the Oblates of St. Joseph in the particular apostolate of “spiritual fathering.” Jesus does
not give us this formula of prayer to repeat mechanically. When it is said with faith and
devotion it makes possible the pray-er’s imaging of the Father in oneself, which image we want
others to see. In as much as it is the Spirit of God that moves us to cry, “Abba, Father!,” then we
truly become children of our Father, and therefore, His reflections. Just like what Jesus did, if
he had had his opportunity St. Joseph would have introduced to us the same prayer.

Like Jesus, the OSJ are sons of St. Joseph. Every time we pray (no less than three times every
day) the “Our Father” in fervent devotion God the Father’s image is stamped on us. It is never
his own image that St. Joseph wants us to see in himself, but instead to have a glimpse of God.
It is actually God we project to others. May the children of God around see icons of the Father
in us as we do “spiritual fathering” to them particularly to the fathers and the young.

Reflections on st. joseph 83