Saint Joseph the Carpenter

During one of our Lunches during Lent, we explored Bible stories which spoke to us individually and to the culture of St. James, stories which might reveal where God is leading St. James in the future.

The stories of Joseph were mentioned, both the Old Testament story of Joseph and his brothers and the New Testament story of Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Both stories reveal how God is forever at work, even when circumstances seem so impossible. God is ever present, guiding the situation towards His perfect purpose.

March 19 is the day in our liturgical calendar we remember Saint Joseph, husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus. He took seriously his responsibility of protection and care for his family, leading them to Egypt to escape Herod’s slaughter of the innocents and, when it was safe to return home, rearing Jesus as a faithful Jew in Nazareth.

Joseph was a humble man, obedient to God and His guidance for his life. Joseph was a carpenter by trade and taught Jesus that important skill. For this, he is known as Saint Joseph the Carpenter, patron saint of the working man.

Now that we have so many ordained clergywomen, Joseph reminds me of the faithful men clergy spouses that I have come to know, ever supportive, willing to “get their hands dirty” with the unique gifts they offer quietly behind the scenes.

Here’s a prayer for Those Who Work with Their Hands, yet it can be understood more broadly as a prayer to be the hands of Jesus:

O Lord, you who made my hands to till and to keep the earth, bless my hands, I pray, that they may be put to your service and to the service of my neighbor, with loving care and intelligent skill, so that my hands might become the hands of Jesus this day, bringing order out of chaos. I pray this in the name of the One who establishes the work of my hands. Amen. (Prayers for the Pilgrimage, p. 108)

God’s peace, Judy Q