Men as Fit Vessels for the Master
Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But… an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream… When Joseph woke up, he … took Mary home as his wife. (Matt 1:19-24)
You are warmly welcome to this celebration of the day of St. Joseph of Nazareth, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is an opportunity to celebrate men, and also to reflect on men as fit vessels for the master.
Men and boys have unfortunately been the subject of nasty statistics and insults, in addition to suffering from passive neglect as more attention is given to girls and women. In his Women’s Day message this year, Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba expressed the Church of Uganda’s commitment to provide equal opportunities for women and girls, men and boys as the whole body of Christ; in addition, he said, “I also remain committed to provide leadership in championing the mentorship of the boy child for a better future of the girls and women.” You need a good father, a good uncle, a good brother, a good husband, a good son, a good grandpa. Men need due attention, care, mentorship, including bearing with their weakness without ridicule. Their important role in society cannot be denied – they can be vital vessels for the Master’s business.
Today we celebrate and take lessons from Joseph: Was he only a dim figure in the background of the Gospel narratives? Not really! His was the man who prepared the manger for the new-born Saviour Jesus on the first Christmas night; the man who talked with the shepherds and heard the story we read in Luke’s gospel; the proud father who redeemed the Redeemer with five pieces of silver at the Temple in Jerusalem, and listened while Simeon and Anna uttered their prophecies; the wily man who cheated King Herod of his prey and fled in the starlight with mother and child to Egypt; the dedicated father who, day after day, watched Jesus grow from babyhood to childhood, from childhood to boyhood, from boyhood to manhood. All these adding to his whole-hearted reconciliation to Mary, even in the face of possible slanderings by his neighbors, are indicative that he was not unworthy to fulfill the great trust which was imposed upon him by the Eternal Father – a fit vessel indeed for the Master.
Consider these three virtues for our lessons from Joseph, if men today are to be fit vessels for the Master. First, righteousness: this is important and possible, as Joseph was – a just man, upright, faithful to the law. Secondly, self-control: in the face of a bad finding (that Mary was pregnant!) he did not over-react and give in to negative adrenaline; we need self-control to handle tough situations. And thirdly, attentiveness to God: both in crisis from within and danger from Herod, God spoke to Joseph; while God speaks many times, men’s attentiveness to His voice is what will make them fit vessels. God bless you all.