Yet, always being open to the will of God, he was told in a dream about what REALLY happened, "...the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'" (Matthew 1:20) Joseph responded to the Will of God and took Mary as his wife, and raised Jesus as his son. Without question, he accepted the Will of God. He loved and took care of Mary and raised Jesus as his own Son.
It was in this environment of love and care that Jesus was raised. I can imagine that, all throughout His childhood, that Joseph was always there, caring for Him and for Mary. Joseph provided for the Holy Family as a father should. Working hard as a carpenter, providing food, clothing and shelter for the Holy Family. Always being there for their needs. Yet no word is attributed to Joseph in scripture. But his actions speak louder than words.
We, like St. Joseph, are called to live out our lives in complete acceptance to the Will of God, even when what happens is not what we were expecting. Let's place our trust in God, as Joseph did, in all that happens in our lives. Let us always be open to what God expects of us. Let us always be open to his Holy Will in the different ways he communicates with us, whether through scripture or through those around us.
From Arlene: Very good reflection, Deacon Tom. I believe this feast also refers to St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.
ReplyDeleteToday I was thinking that the President I would like to elect in US should have some of the qualities of St. Joseph that seem to be in contrast with the character of the man who is being promoted and promoting himself.
St. Joseph was temperate, wise and discerning. He did not fly off the handle or make a scene or threaten Mary when he discovered that she was pregnant with a child that was not his. He pondered carefully how to be just and obedient to the Law in a way that would do the least harm. He was a righteous man. He was chaste and was a man of self-control, willing to deprive himself of gratification. He was loyal. He was open to God's will and had a listening ear, and He immediately obeyed what God through His messengers told him, both in taking Our Lady into his home and in taking JESUS and Mary to Egypt. He was humble and unassuming. He was a man of integrity, diligent in his work and fair in his business practices.
Perhaps at this time we should invoke St. Joseph's intercession that we may elect a President of similar godly character.