Homily for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today's Gospel highlights that while St. Joseph loved and protected his young Son, he sometimes struggled to understand Him. After anxiously searching for Jesus with Mary, Joseph finally found Him in the Temple, where Jesus told him that He must be engaged in His Father's affairs.

In that moment, St. Joseph realized that his Son had a deeper connection with another "Father." It became clear that Jesus had a stronger loyalty to this divine Father than to His earthly parents. St. Joseph learned that he needed to allow his Son to pursue a greater purpose, even if it differed from the one he had envisioned for Jesus. Consequently, St. Joseph serves as an inspiration and a reference point for all parents who face the challenging task of learning to "let go" of their children.