Feast of St. Joseph

Joseph,

Man of prayer,

Man of prayer-filled expectation,

Man of prayer filled with expectant longing

Man of prayer filled with expectant longing for birth

Man of prayer filled

with expectant longing for birthplace in Bethlehem

Man of prayer filled with expectant longing for birthplace in Bethlehem

of no room

Of no room for a God who instills dreams

Dreams to go and take Mary

Take Mary’s place in suffering labor

Suffering labor in a carpenter’s shop

Suffering labor in a stable

Suffering labor in a stable betrothal with Mary

With Mary who is contracting

Who is contracting with God’s covenant

Covenant of “yes”

Covenant of “yes” at marriage

Covenant of “yes” at marriage between God and humanity

In Jesus their son

In Jesus, Son of God.