In art depicting Joseph, he is commonly old or looking like he never worked a day in his life. Neither would make a good guardian and protector for God the Father's two greatest treasures. Sure, he would have to be a man in his prime of life, and strong. As Mother Angelica, founder of EWTN, said once, "old men don't walk to Egypt."

Did Joseph ever have to physically protect his Family? We do not know, but we can be certain that he would have if needed. And if Joseph is our father, and thus our guardian and protector, we can be assured that he will do the same for us. As a carpenter, Joseph undoubtedly was physically strong. And all that we have learned about Joseph tells us that he was, and is, strong spiritually as well.

When Jesus was driving out demons, some thought He did so by the power of demons. In response, Jesus told them, "How can anyone enter a strong man's house and steal his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house." [Matthew 12:29] This implies two things. One, that the people overcome by demons were less powerful than the demons. And two, that Jesus is stronger than the demons. And what of Joseph? Is he stronger than the demons, too? To be so, he would have to be higher than the angels, since the demons are fallen angels.

Well, was there any angel the Son of God called father? Is there any angel that was the Spouse of the Mother of God? The only person that is also called Spouse of Mary is the Holy Spirit, God. And the only other person called Father by Jesus is Our Heavenly Father, also God. And yet, Joseph shares these great dignities with God. WOW! The angels must be in awe of Joseph's great dignities like we are.

We know Mary to be the Queen of Angels, or as the last decade of the Glorious Mysteries declares, Queen of Heaven and Earth. This is Joseph's wife, of his Family Covenant. She did not, and does not, hold back anything from her spouse, and neither did, or does, Joseph.

Joseph, as the strong man, protect us from all attacks from the Evil One. May we live out our family covenant with you, so as to be perfect children of yours under your protection, and reconcile us whenever we are not so. Amen.