Thought for the Week: Father’s Day

In the run up to Father's Day Janet Scott considers the influence of Joseph

by Janet Scott 15th June 2012

Once in a Catholic church in the Netherlands I saw a statue of Joseph the carpenter holding the infant Jesus. It was carved from wood and Joseph’s hands were those of a workman, rough-hewn and large, but cradling the baby with gentleness. There were about three candles in front of it whereas the statue of Mary with Jesus on the other side of the church was surrounded by a large number of lights. It was a vivid illustration of the way in which we neglect Joseph.