4 Ways Mary’s Husband Is a Role Model for Today’s Men
In this Year of St. Joseph, we are granted a model of manhood at a time when manhood itself is in crisis.
Manhood is criticized by some as “toxic masculinity” and poorly lived by many men who are passive and remote husbands and fathers. Others never attain to holy matrimony, and still others indulge sexual promiscuity and recklessly father children outside of marriage. True manhood is harder to find today, and without models to follow, many young men have little on which to build.
Thus we turn to St. Joseph in this reflection. We know so little of Joseph from the Scriptures. He seems to have been the strong silent type. Not a word of his is recorded. But his actions have much to say, especially to men. Let’s ponder St. Joseph, then, as a model of manhood for husbands and fathers.
Joseph is a man who obeys God and clings to his wife.
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Joseph is a man whose vocation is more important than his career.
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Joseph was a man who protected his family.
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Joseph was a man of work.
St. Joseph, intercede for us that we may see others in terms of mercy instead of judgment.
REMEMBER, O most pure spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, my great protector Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or implored your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding therefore in your goodness, I come before you. Do not turn down my petitions, foster father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen.