
St. Joseph: A Labor of Love
Joseph’s work in Nazareth was a labor of love. He understood the importance of the home life of the Holy Family, and he thoughtfully and sensibly carried out the stewardship necessary.
Find what you’re looking for

Joseph’s work in Nazareth was a labor of love. He understood the importance of the home life of the Holy Family, and he thoughtfully and sensibly carried out the stewardship necessary.

The difference between our dreams and God’s plans can be seen in the story of Joseph of Nazareth. At one of the lowest points in Joseph’s life, God opened his eyes to a new dream.

We know very little about Saint Joseph, except that he was the husband of Mary and foster-father of Jesus. Scripture calls him a just man and points out a few incidences in which he showed virtuous behavior. After he and Mary found Jesus in the Temple, Saint Joseph is not mentioned again.

Today we should thank the Lord for the part he has given each of us to play in his Church. None of us is insignificant to the Lord. None of us is useless.

Jesus turns our understanding of success inside out. He models true success as helping others, giving of oneself, and doing God’s will—service, sacrifice, and surrender.

Life in the fourth century was anything but dull, as the life of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem proves. The Church was facing a major crisis and Cyril was one of the men who worked through the controversies. Thanks to courageous men like him, we share the faith today.

Like the tenants in today’s parable, we too are not fully committed to the charge that God gives us. We have reason to be concerned about the coming of the master of the vineyard.

We probably know more legends about Saint Patrick than facts. But from the amount of work he did, and by the after-effects of that work, we can understand what type of man he was.

Lent is a time for us to look into our hearts and see what is important to us and for whom and for what we are willing to extend ourselves.

This week marks the third Sunday of Lent, in which the Gospel recounts the story of Moses and the burning bush.