Every Catholic Man Podcast

St. Joseph Accepts His Vocation to Be the Earthy Father of Jesus - December 21, 2025 - Mt 1:18-24

Every Catholic Man Season 1

This is the Every Catholic Man Men Meet Jesus Podcast where a man can draw closer to Jesus Christ, learn the Catholic faith and grow in happiness by become a better Catholic Son and Catholic Father.

As we enter into the 4th week of Advent, we'll hear about the birth of Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary and how St. Joseph takes up his heroic calling to be the earthly father of the Son of God. 

We'll reflect upon the importance of growing in the Virtue of Chastity and how to grow in the Virtue of Duty by becoming the heroic and sacrificial head of a man's family.

See the show notes for a complete transcript, including today's references for teaching from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  

Episode 4 - December 18, 2022 - Every Catholic Man Gospel Devotional - 4th Week of Advent – Sunday – Cycle A - Mt 1:18-24

The greatest honor ever bestowed on any man is Joseph’s selection to be the earthly father of the Son of God. Prepared from the beginning of time, God’s plan of salvation is fulfilled by the birth of His Son to a perfect Virgin who is married to St. Joseph, the holiest of men, and a hidden king in the line of David.

The Gospel of Matthew summarizes the more detailed Infancy Narrative of Luke (Lk 1-2). Prior to the miraculous conception of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph are betrothed; in ancient Judaism, couples were formally married, but did not live together and consummate their marriage for up to a year. During this period of abstinence, Jesus Christ is conceived in the Blessed Virgin Mary’s womb through the fatherhood of the  Holy Spirit. St. Joseph, perhaps told by the Blessed Virgin Mary of Jesus’ miraculous conception, first decides to end the marriage, but is then convinced by an angel in a dream of God’s glorious plan; St. Joseph gratefully receives the Blessed Virgin Mary and the unborn Child and becomes the head of the Holy Family.

While various explanations for St. Joseph’s initial reluctance have been offered (suspicion, confusion, reverence), most likely, St. Joseph’s believed he was unworthy to be the earthly father of the Son of God. The Blessed Virgin Mary is perfectly compelling, truthful and obedient, would not have kept the truth from St. Joseph, the head of the Holy Family, and would have revealed her pregnancy. St. Joseph would have believed her, for he was a supremely holy man specifically chosen by God to be the Son’s necessary earthly father. Jesus, present in the Blessed Virgin Mary’s womb, would also have convinced and overwhelmed St. Joseph with the truth (as He does with Elizabeth, and, the yet to be born, John the Baptist - Lk 1:41-45). Strengthened by an angel, St. Joseph lives out his vocation to be the celibate husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and earthly father to the Son of God.

Be awed by Jesus Christ

While the Incarnation (to be made flesh) of the Son of God is an event which exceeds the ability of men to fully comprehend, marvel that the Son of God is also the Son of Joseph, the man created, inspired, and given the highest levels of Divine Grace to become the earthly father of God.  

Strive to grow in Chastity

Realize: A great and beautiful mystery and dogma of Christ’s Holy Catholic Church is the truth that the Blessed Virgin Mary was “ever virgin.” 

Believe: Reflect upon Our Queen’s Perfect Virginity and Motherhood (CCC 487-507).

Pray: Jesus, Perfection of Chastity, help me build the Virtue of Chastity (a part of Temperance) so I can have the self-control to abstain from sinful sexual thoughts and acts, I grow in modesty, and I joyfully live a life of purity.

Be the heroic head of your family

Realize: While modern culture denigrates men and the absolute essential need for fathers, God calls Catholic fathers to be “heads” of their families (Gen 3:16, 1 Cor 11:3,  Eph 5:24, Col 3:18, 1 Pet 3:1, 1 Tim 2:11, Titus 2:4-5). 

Believe: Reflect upon the truth that God the Father insisted that even His Only Son needed an earthly father, St. Joseph (CCC 437, 532).

Pray: Jesus, Son of Joseph, help me build the Virtue of Duty/Responsibility (a part of Justice) so I can better imitate St. Joseph as a Catholic father and head who leads my family and many others to You.