My Father, My Hero

Every kid needs a hero growing up. When I was a child my hero was my dad, and when I became a man St. Joseph – the New Testament foster-father par excellence – became my role model.

When I was growing up, my friends worshipped sports stars and superheroes. But for me, Pete Rose and Superman couldn't touch my father. My dad was not a religious man and did not practice the faith until the very end of his life. He was, however, a true family man. He had to be in order to raise nine children with my mom. My father had a superhuman presence and seemed larger than life. It wasn't so much what he did; it was who he was: He was my dad.

What I remember the most about my dad was the quality time I spent with him. He took the time to show me how to throw a curve ball. He took the time to show me how to shine my shoes and wash a car. And he also took the time to take walks with me on the beach, while he made up stories about being a World War II veteran.

When I remember my dad, who is now deceased, I also think of my other hero, St. Joseph.

As the foster-father of the Child Jesus, St. Joseph was undoubtedly truly committed to his Holy Family, much as my dad was. Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., once quipped about St. Joseph: “Next time you think you're perfect, try having coffee at the kitchen table with the Immaculate Conception and the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.”

St. Joseph was a man of action and few words. Actually, there is not a single word of his recorded in the Gospel. But his consent to the angel not to divorce Mary because the child was of the Holy Spirit, and later his obedience to flee to Egypt overnight soon after Jesus' birth, were pivotal decisions.

As a father myself, every time I complain to God for not having enough means to support my family, I have only to reflect on the fact that St. Joseph supported his family on a carpenter's income, and early on, he did it in a foreign country. It wasn't until my daughter Brianna was born that I understood what Jesus meant when He said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 18:3).

I recall a moment when Brianna was about 2 years old, when as I was taking her out of her car seat, she whispered sleepily, “Daddy, please don't drop me.” My immediate response was, “Sweetheart, Daddy would never drop you.” Right then, God Our Father revealed to me that He would never drop us – but we hit the ground, usually rear-end first, when we choose to let go of Him.

St. Joseph's role as Jesus’ foster-father is often overlooked. What an incredible mission for such an ordinary man to raise God's only Son. God wanted His Son to enjoy the same adulation children have shown their fathers since the dawn of creation because our earthly fathers are supposed to reflect the “awesomeness” of Our Father. I dare say that St. Joseph was Jesus' hero as He was growing up.

This Father's Day, my prayer for all fathers is that just as St. Joseph was to Jesus, my father was to me, and your father is or was to you, we become our children's heroes. I believe that is God's will for us fathers, and the true meaning behind Father's Day.

St. Joseph, Foster-Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, pray for us.