Today, March 19 on the Church Calendar is the Feast of Saint Joseph who was the foster/ adoptive father of Jesus and husband of Mary.  St. Joseph is also the name I chose as my “Saint Name” on the day I made my confirmation receiving a “slap” on my cheek by the Bishop of Philadelphia signifying my receiving the Holy Spirit. I was about 13 years old at the time remembering how impressed I was and why I chose Joseph as my “Saint Name.”  Joseph willingly took Mary as his wife who was expecting a son that he was told would not be his.  I admired Joseph because he was entrusted by God to take Mary as his wife and raise Jesus as his own son; thus God blessed and honored him.  Joseph is the express image of what a foster/ adoptive father should be, loving and caring for the children entrusted to them.  If you have watched the episode on “The Chosen,” season three in which Mary reflects on the “father and son” interaction of Joseph and Jesus, you get a real human experi...

Forgiving - Forgiveness I have read quite a few excerpts from books and articles including Jesus’s words on forgiveness.  Yes, we are to forgive one another for the offenses against us and for the offenses against others….not just because Jesus says or commands us to.  If we do so because Jesus said to then are we being truly honest in our forgiveness. Forgiving should not be just a command but should come from the heart in compassion for one another; that is true forgiveness.  And yes, we won’t forget what was done but we should never bring it up again; reopening the wounds of pain; not true forgiveness either. Who do you need to forgive?