‘Where did that man (Jesus) get all this wisdom?’ (Matthew 13:54)
So many of Jesus’ parables and sayings relate to God as ‘my Father in Heaven…’ The relationship was so close that he even addressed God as ‘Abba,’ literally, ‘Daddy’! Jesus modelled the image of his heavenly Father—God—on the experience of his earthly father, Joseph.
Joseph, along with Mary, would have played a decisive role in the formation of the youthful Jesus and his message. The above question, posed by his contemporaries, ‘Where did (Jesus) get all this wisdom?’ is a measure of the quality of Jesus’ upbringing, and not a statement about his divine nature. At home in Nazareth, ‘Jesus increased in wisdom, in years and in divine and human favour’ (Luke 2:52).
Because of Joseph’s model of fatherhood, Jesus’ own understanding and therefore teaching of God’s Fatherhood has brought us to understand God not as remote, uncaring, judgmental and angry, but as intimate, loving, caring and forgiving.
St. Joseph, help us to experience God as a caring, loving Father.
Let us come together in faith and prayer, even from a distance. Feel free to invite your family and friends! See you online at 10AM UK Time!!
Novena Prayer to St. Joseph
Ever glorious St. Joseph, good and faithful servant, God was pleased to place his own family in your care.
We thank you for being such a wonderful example of humility and faith, of prayerfulness and courage, in your ordinary daily life.
Through your intercession, may God grant us the blessing of living continually in his presence, and responding to his love in our daily lives. And when we have lived our days on earth, may God give us the great joy he gave you—that of entering eternal life in the company of Jesus and Mary.
Most loving St. Joseph, accept our Novena prayers and obtain for us through your powerful intercession, the favours and graces we ask for in
this Novena.
Pause to call to mind your special intentions…
St. Joseph, Pray for us.
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…
