< <  

Saturday, March 19, 2022

  > >

St. Joseph


2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16
Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29
Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 or Luke 2:41-51

View Readings
Similar Reflections

joseph: an upwardly mobile man

“[Joseph] did as the angel of the Lord had directed him.” —Matthew 1:24

St. Joseph often found himself enmeshed in a series of unexpected circumstances. First, God became Lord of his marriage in a way no man could ever have imagined (Mt 1:18ff). Then, like a common refugee, Joseph was turned away from decent accommodations when he and Mary most needed them: at the moment of Jesus’ birth (Lk 2:7). Next, in the middle of the night, he had to fend off a government-led assassination plot against his infant Foster-Son (Mt 2:13). Three times he had to pack up and move his family on a moment’s notice. Finally, he and Mary had to search in sorrow for three days for Jesus (Lk 2:48).

For the task of safeguarding the Child Jesus, God chose a man who excelled in hearing and obeying: St. Joseph, the man of faith. Joseph must have spent a lot of time on his knees in fervent prayer for help. The circumstances of his life repeatedly taught him instant obedience (e.g. Mt 2:14), which sprang from his instantly hearing God’s commands, which flowed from his constant prayer.

With St. Joseph, let us be upwardly mobile. Let us cultivate the ability to instantly turn to God in prayer, hear His voice, and obey Him in faith. St. Joseph, pray for us.

Prayer:  Father, I will trust in You with all my heart and rely not on my own intelligence (Prv 3:5).

Promise:  “All depends on faith, everything is grace.” —Rm 4:16

Praise:  St. Joseph’s faith and trust in God were blessed in ways unimaginable: He was chosen to be the spouse of the sinless Virgin Mary and the protector of the Son of God.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(We offer a retreat, April 8-10, entitled Spiritual Warfare: The Battle Belongs to the Lord! Come join with others in standing in the Lord’s army. Call (513) 373-2397 or (937) 587-5464 to register or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from February 01/2022 through March 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 16, 2021"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.