St. Joseph – A Role Model for Husbands

In his homily on the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of Mary, Fr. Mark touched on what it means to be a husband. He said a husband must first be a man.

A man not defined by the world but defined by our faith. A man must be one that is matured in faith and righteousness like St. Joseph. St. Joseph wanted to do the right thing when he heard Mary was with child- to divorce her quietly. He was matured enough in his faith to listen to voice of God in his dream when he was told that he should take Mary as his wife. 

Fr. Mark said that many marriages are ending up in divorce these days because men do not understand the role they have to play as husbands. On the wedding day, the groom acts more like a celebrity concerned with posing for photographs instead of praying for his marriage. We should not be easily swayed by the world that projects man with muscles and those who fight as epitome of greatness and heroism. Instead, we should be guided by wisdom to know that a real man is one who is matured in faith like St. Joseph.

A husband should play the following roles:

1. Head of the family

Just as Jesus is the head of the family, a husband should be willing to sacrifice and die to himself for his family. He should make decisions that are good for the family.

For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Eph 5: 23

2. Provide Security

St. Joseph, ensured that the safety of Mary and Jesus. He fled to Egypt to save his family when it was necessary.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Eph 5: 25

3. Provide for the family

A husband should ensure what is necessary for the family to flourish. St Joseph took care and provided for Mary and Jesus.

Even so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church,  because we are members of his body. Eph 5: 28-30

Fr. Mark concluded his sermon reminding the congregation that St. Joseph followed Christ and so must all husbands while wives should follow Mary as their role model. (Media Team)