He was a quiet man, a man of few words. But he was rock solid. He gave his son the name Jesus, who became known by the work of his father – the son of the carpenter. He was sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit, listening to the Spirit’s inspiration when he was most alone with himself – that is in his sleep. Today is the feast day of St. Joseph.
Today, he still works with his son, Jesus in his usual quiet and often unnoticed manner. As patron of the diocese of San Jose, he continues to serve as an inspiration to thousands of working people who would want to live lives of faith, hope and love. In a valley so secular and so driven by science and technology, he helps people bring a sense of the sacred and the divine in their daily lives. In a milieu so steep in materialism and consumerism, his virtues of quiet simplicity and effective humility continues to inspire thousands in the diocese.
California has always been at the leading edge of developments in the US be it in technology, the sciences, the arts, culture and even cuisine. One of the things I love about living here is the fact many people miss or refuse to see. California is also deeply steep in spirituality and the sacred – thanks to the rich Catholic heritage from its past. The missions are an essential part of the local landscape. Every other town or city has been named in the honor of some holy person or the Blessed Virgin Mary. And Catholics, be they immigrants or born and raised here, have always been major players and contributors to what California has achieved. San Francisco, now made even more famous because the new Pope has chosen the name of its patron, St. Francis of Assisi. Santa Clara, home to a great Jesuit university. Los Angeles. San Diego. Santa Barbara. San Miguel. Traveling through California can be one long prayer and a deeply spiritual experience indeed.
When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife.
Matthew 1:16-24