The heroes we see in comic books and movies have certain abilities and skills. And these abilities and skills are often superhuman, at least very extraordinary. With these transcendent power, these heroes save people or nations from crises or villains. You may call a person hero if he protects the Saviour of mankind from threats and conspiracies. And we encounter this hero in today’s gospel. It is St Joseph. However, St Joseph is not a typical hero in movies and comic books. He doesn’t seem to be equipped with an unusual ability or weapon to protect Jesus and his mother, the Blessed Virgin. St Joseph was an ordinary carpenter. He seemed to have not much wealth, either. When the angel informed the plan of Herod to kill the infant saviour, St Joseph's only option was to take the baby Jesus and his mother and to flee to Egypt by night. St Joseph didn’t have the privilege to use express transportation. Probably, the Holy Family had to move mostly on foot or by hiring a small animal like a donkey. While they were in Egypt, they didn’t stay in a castle or at a family estate. St Joseph had to support the family with his labour. It wouldn’t be too simple and easy to support the family in a foreign land. This might be called heroic, but not in a theatrical way, for sure.
It takes a lot of humility to raise a child. Many parents give up their interests, dreams, even lives for the sake of their children. All parents want to do the best for their children. But in this age of confusion, it is not always simple and clear to see what is the right thing. St Joseph didn’t have a higher degree in theology. However, he had his ears and heart open to God’s word and his inspiration. And he had the humility to follow God’s guidance without a question or hesitation. Catechism classes or Catholic schools cannot choose good things for our children. Only parents can make decisions for their children. If we want to be good parents, let us pay attention to our Lord’s word with a humble heart. This saved even the Son of God.
