In the Office of Readings for today, the feast of St. Joseph, the reading from St. Bernadine of Siena led me to ponder one central aspect of the life and mission of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus.
I am thinking of the many men who are loving (as fathers), children who are not their own biological offspring. Today, more men than ever are in this situation.
There are many reasons both good and bad for this reality.
But how these men found themselves as foster fathers is not as important as the fact that they are now called by God to love, as fathers, their foster children.
There are many reasons both good and bad for this reality.
But how these men found themselves as foster fathers is not as important as the fact that they are now called by God to love, as fathers, their foster children.
Many of these men are providing an experience of fatherly love to children who in earlier years were denied this love, or who tragically were mis-treated and unloved by their 'fathers'.
Many foster-fathers are replacing lost fathers, or sharing the role of fatherhood for a few days each week.
Whatever your situation as a foster father, today (the feast of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus) we celebrate your feast day.
And today - even more than for the rest of the year - we pray for you.
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