“Be like St. Joseph. He’s a model for every (teacher and parent). Children need you to walk beside them in love.” (Pope Francis) Today is St. Joseph’s Day, honoring the father of Jesus. Real Estate people also have an interest in him, because of a legend: If you bury a statue of Joseph in the yard, the house will sell faster. You can buy a kit, even with burial instructions. Far more important is the example of Joseph as a good and caring teacher and parent. So much of what I am today is based on what I learned at home. ;-) Jack
FROM LBP: Huh. I feel like we don’t hear much of Joseph beyond the nativity. Have you ever preached on Joseph as a father figure?====JACK: Historically, there's been so much emphasis on the virgin birth, that Joseph has been all but forgotten. The fact remains that he was there for Jesus as his "father" from birth and through the growing-up years. I can't remember preaching a sermon on Joseph (until today's WWs). But is I were still in the Sunday Business, I think that I would do so with no qualms.
FROM TL: Ah, fond memories… I love that hymn of Joseph, ”How Can It Be?” My grandmother always made homemade pasta for the feast of St. Joseph. Funny, and I’m not sure why, it was always pasta with a 3-bean blend – pasta fagoul. Always gave me a little gastrointestinal stress, but it never affected my admiration of Joe.====JACK: I'll have look up that hymn. Can you hum a few bars, or give me the first line? Old family traditions are full of memories. I wonder if it works that way with our children, too? We should ask them.
====TL: https://genius.com/Michael-card-josephs-song-lyrics
FROM MF: I can say the same Jack. St Joseph's feast day became special to us a few years back
As my Dads passing was near. The family was anticipating when it would finally happen, some hoped for St Patrick's day but Dad held on until the 18th, a more fitting day for such a great father. ====JACK: I think I met your father at your retirement party. Was his name Joseph, or Patrick, or Michael...or some other Irish name?====MF: He was William Andrew, he did make it to the retirement party, in a wheel chair.
FROM BLAZING OAKS: We certainly have no details about Joseph as a father figure, so it's hard for him to be inspiring, except for the fact that he did remain faithful to raising Jesus. When our home in Spfld. had been for sale for a few weeks, our devout catholic neighbor brought over a small statue of Joseph and buried it per their ritual in our front yard, and two days later, it sold! Who knew?! :-) I didn't know there was a St.Joseph day, but am not surprised. You just hear so much more about Mary!===\JACK: Most of our historical information about Joseph comes from Catholic writers and artists. With their emphasis on the virginity of Mary and the miraculous circumstances of the birth of Jesus, Joseph has to be left out of the picture and appears more as a kind of step-father. Some modern theological interpretations seem to put him in more of the traditional role. It's interesting that the burial of Joseph "worked" when it came to selling your house.
FROM SPARTY: Thank you for recognizing St. Joseph's Day. My father was Joseph, my mother, Josephine and then there's me!====JACK: Other famous Joes...Biden, DiMaggio, Louis, Pulitzer and Pal Joey.====SPARTY: And, don't forget about Joey Heatherton.😊
FROM ST PAUL IN MESA: and were you not suppose to bury him upside down? did i dream that or not? and if it is true, why bury him in an inverted position?? ====JACK: He's buried upside down, so that he'll work harder to get out...and with his praying hands directed toward the house. I read of a woman who had her husband's ashes put into an hour glass. She turned it over regularly,because she wanted him to work harder in death than he ever did in life.
FROM LJ: Thanks Jack, we have used the statue of St Joseph on occasion to try to sell a house when it has been on the market longer than the normal selling time expected. Sometimes it does work but not always. Probably I should be present and carefully read the instructions during the burial. A jewish client of mine, married to a Catholic woman, whose house was on the market for a very long time, when it was suggested to him that he coincider such a burial, told us that his wife had buried St Joseph under the sign and nothing happened. Realtors have many St. Joseph stories but I think you have to believe to make it happen.====JACK: Standing at the basketball free throw line and making the sign of the cross is supposed to make the shot successful. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.====LJ: So much is mindset at the time you do it.====JACK: The reason for saying, Bless you!, when a person sneezes....It was thought long ago that when a person sneezed his spirit went out with the sneeze. It was also believed that there were evil spirits lurking around, seeking to be sucked in with the next breath.. Someone would quickly say, "Bless you!" so the good spirit would enter the person before an evil one.====lj: Very interesting, I had better be sure there is someone around to say "Bless you" before I sneeze.
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Poor Joseph... he has to be buried upside down...at least that’s what I heard. Our most important learning does happen at home: morals.====JACK: Most important thing to be learned at home? I'd say...faith
FROM TAMPA SHIRL: Your latest thoughts on st Joseph mysteriously disappeared but he indeed is a perfect role model. I never heard the one about burying him in the yard.====JACK: I learned something today from a quotation by Cicero. The word, SUPERSTITION", in its root form, means "to stand in terror of the deity." Isn't that interesting?
FROM INDY GENIE: My kids loved their Uncle Joseph....he was very kind and understanding with children. He also was a great story teller and made them laugh! (He made us all laugh til we cried with his impromptu storytelling.)====JACK: I have a grandson, Joseph. Everybody calls him Joe...except me. I can't imagine Mary saying, "Hey, Joe, would mind changing Jesus's diaper." ====GENIE: Ha! That is funny to imagine:) Brother Joseph went by Joe in high school. As he got older he preferred Joseph.====JACK: Did your parents ever say why they named hi, Joseph...or you, Eugenia (Oh, I know the reason for that.)====GENIE: Yes...the story goes that they took the Bible to the hospital when they had a baby and looked through it while my mom was in labor. (My guess is that they had names in mind before that:) Full name...Joseph Ernest Ernest was my mother’s uncle’s name. And right...Eugenia for my dad! How about you?====JACK: I was named after my Uncle John. He and his wife (my dad’s sister) were my sponsors. Since they lived close to us, I was given the nickname (for John), Jack…and was Jack from the beginning. My middle name is Harold, after my father. In today’s world, I might have been named Jacobi, my father’s middle name.
FROM RJP IN NAPLES: That's why I am such a great person!!! I was born on St. Joseph Day !!!!!!!!! 78 on the 19th. Laughter and giggles not allowed.====JACK: I wonder why your parents didn't name you, Joseph? Maybe it was because one of the definitions of the name is, sweet and caring. Maybe that's a definition for Robert, too. I'll have to look it up..... NOPE. But, it does mean, bright.====RJP: LOL LOL Truth is mom liked the name Robert and my brother was named Anthony after Dad soooooo Joseph was the natural middle name I must have the traits of both don’t you think? BTW In real estate we bury Joseph upside down facing the home we do it go about 50% of our customers. Most folk are really superstitious.
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