Feast of St. Joseph
Luke 2:49
And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
I love family gatherings. Hanging out with friends and relatives, kids running around having fun together. Cousins getting into trouble down by the creek, or rough housing around the pool. These are the things that make amazing family memories. They are also the things that give parents fits of anxiety. We have all been there at one time or another.
Mom "Where is sally?"
Dad "I don't know. Last time I saw her she was with your nephew Billy down by the old Saw Mill."
Mom "Why on earth would you let her play by a Saw Mill?!"
Dad "Billy seems to know his way around a mill. I'm sure they are fine."
Now imagine poor Mary and Joseph missing 12 year old Jesus for three days. When Mary tells Jesus he had caused them "great anxiety" I think she was understating the issue. But how do you discipline the literal Son of God? Today, the feast of St. Joseph, is a great day to pray for parents. Pray for the strength to raise their children is a chaotic world. Pray for their ability to care for their own parents as they age. Pray for fathers and mothers to lead their families in faith.
