'What part of Joseph's personality did Jesus imbibe or exhibit?', was the question that Fr Kevin began his homily with, this morning during the Mass of St Joseph, the worker.
- Was it his relational skills which saw him relate to practically everyone in his surrounding with the same respect and dignity?
- Was it his workmanship which saw him be dedicated to what he considered was his primary duty?
- Was it his ability in recognizing that he is not the only one at work in the society and hence form constructive alliances and build a network of hard working people from different backgrounds?
- Was it his attitude towards the working class of the society, whom he treated with equal dignity and compassion as any intellectual or civil servant?
- Was it his concern and affection for the women who followed him or met him during his journeys and visits to the different regions of Israel?
- Was it his calm and serene nature that helped him stay focused and polite, even when the whole crowd was against him?
- Was it his down to earth use of imageries in communicating the richness of the Kingdom to his listeners?
- Was it his grace to be able to mingle and be at home with the hoi polloi of the society, even though he was the son of God?
- Was it his words and phrases and accent and gestures?
- Was it his dressing sense, his hairstyle, food habits and
- Was it his knowledge of farming and fishing which he clearly used lavishly in his various anecdotes and parables (surely much more than carpentry!)?
Matthew 13: 55 expresses the amazement of those who witness Jesus' ministry and ask: "Isn't he the carpenter's son?..."
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