Men's Rosary

I have had a devotion to the Holy Family for years. It really started when my wife and I had children. It seems like a natural progression as I never really pondered the Holy Family before. No matter how this devotion came to be, it has been full of graces. I can see in this family all the examples of manhood.

Take St. Joseph, he is the perfect example of being a good husband, father and worker. And to think that God chose him to be the earthly father of His son says all that needs to be said of the character of St. Joseph. So, we can look to him for a gauge on how we are doing in the role of husband, father and provider/worker. And we can pray for his intercession to become a better man.

In thinking of Mary’s role as mother we can be grateful for our mothers and pray for them. Consider also how Mary cared for Jesus as a measure for how we should care for him as well. The depth of her love for him shows us how we too can love deeper and have Christ at the center of our life. We can ask for her intercession to become more devoted to Jesus.

And pondering Jesus, God who became obedient to Joseph. How much more do we need to be obedient to our fathers? Jesus loved Joseph and surely tried to please him. I sometimes think…how many times was Joseph wrong, and Jesus knew it, but still obeyed. This can challenge us to be more respectful and obedient to our Church. This can teach us how to better love and appreciate our fathers no matter how right or wrong they are or were.

A final thought on the Holy Family. The Second Vatican Council called the Holy Family the “domestic church”. As such, as the family unit goes so does the Church at large. Today, the family is under attack. The devil knows that if he brings down the family, he brings down the Church. Take time to think about your family. How can you make it stronger? Have images of the Holy Family in your home and discuss it with your children and grandchildren. Be defender of the family. Guard family values no matter the pressures of society against it.

“Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do…but how much love we put in that action.” St. Mother Teresa

Jesus, Mary and Joseph…pray for us!