The Great Qualities of St Joseph

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season : Fourth Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Mt 13:54-58*

*First Reading : Gen 1:26-2:3 or Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-24*

*The Great Qualities of St Joseph*

*Solemnity of St Joseph*

*1) Meaning of the Name*

The meaning of Joseph is : Hebrew - Yahweh will add; God will Multiply;

In and through Joseph God added or Multiplied the chances of saving the entire Human kind

God added and multiplied opportunities of mans cooperation in God's mission 

God added and multiplied the chances of His presence among the human being 

God added and multiplied the chances of, how God can work with human beings 

*2) The Letter meaning of Joseph*

Joseph has a beautiful meaning. Which can be analysed in the following way 

*J for Just*

Joseph was a just man. The Gospel calls him as *being the Just man*

One of the special and great quality of Joseph 

*O for Obedient*: Joseph was a obedient man. He always obeyed God in everything. There wasn't anything that he disobeyed

*S for simplicity and Silence*

These are the great qualities of Joseph

He was very simple and simplicity is the hallmark of his life 

Joseph was also a silent man. He hardly spoke anything

Since he was silent he could hear the voice of God and carry out God's plan in everything

*E for Empathy*

Empathy means the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

That's why he didn't want to put Mart into disgrace. He understood Mary perfectly well 

A great empathetic man - Joseph

*P for Prophet* 

Joseph was a great prophet

Prophet is the mouthpiece of God 

Prophet communicates the message from God 

In this Way Joseph through His silence and sincerity was a powerful communicator of Gods will to everyone

*H for Honest* Joseph was an Honest man 

His honesty is seen in everything 

He was not at all affected by Hypocrisy. But Joseph was honest and genuine person 

*3) The World  Needs Joseph today*

The situation in the mordern World  demands the necessity of the presence of Joseph amidst us 

We need people who can work like Joseph

People with Honest mindset, obedient, just, service minded attitude, prophetic out look in our approach 

Am I ready to follow this St Joseph?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*