Today is the Feast of St. Joseph. Liz Lemon Swindle's work again speaks to me of the love, care and safety Joseph provided for his wife, Mary and his Savior, Jesus. Joseph is called the silent one, the just, the faithful. All descriptions that hint at the integrity with which he lived his life. His was not an easy life. He was a laborer in a land that was poor and primitive. He struggled under the domination of the Roman Empire. He maintained a peace borne of faithfulness. He was a man of God. He discerned God's Will and even when he did not understand, Joseph was faithful. He believed the God was with him. He believed that God was guiding him. I can picture the dying Joseph surrendering his life into the hands of God in a final act of faithfulness. He was grounded in God's love and presence.
The Spirituality of the Resurrection calls us to maintain a river of peace within us, even in the midst of great sorrow or confusion. Relying on the power of the Risen Christ, we also believe that we are never alone, that Jesus is with us, guiding us and sending us the Holy Spirit to remind us for centuries to come of what Jesus came to teach us.
Joseph shows us how to live the call to resurrection without the fanfare that would otherwise attract others to us and not to God. He kept his eye on the ball, he loved Mary and Jesus and did all he could to protect them. God did not have to prove to Joseph that strength would be given when he needed it. Joseph just had to trust. Joseph could trust because he had come to know how faithful God was.
Take some time to consider how faithful God has been to you. Ask yourself, "What is it that I focus on in my spiritual life?" Do I trust the Risen Christ? Is my faith as simple as the faith of Joseph, or do I complicate things?
St. Joseph, pray for us.
The Spirituality of the Resurrection calls us to maintain a river of peace within us, even in the midst of great sorrow or confusion. Relying on the power of the Risen Christ, we also believe that we are never alone, that Jesus is with us, guiding us and sending us the Holy Spirit to remind us for centuries to come of what Jesus came to teach us.
Joseph shows us how to live the call to resurrection without the fanfare that would otherwise attract others to us and not to God. He kept his eye on the ball, he loved Mary and Jesus and did all he could to protect them. God did not have to prove to Joseph that strength would be given when he needed it. Joseph just had to trust. Joseph could trust because he had come to know how faithful God was.
Take some time to consider how faithful God has been to you. Ask yourself, "What is it that I focus on in my spiritual life?" Do I trust the Risen Christ? Is my faith as simple as the faith of Joseph, or do I complicate things?
St. Joseph, pray for us.
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