Faithful Obedience

~~~ Solemnity of Saint Joseph ~~~

~~~ 2 Samuel 7:4-5A, 12-14A, 16 ~~~ Psalm 89 ~~~

~~~ Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 ~~~ Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24A ~~~~

Faith is about holding on when you cannot see
where the path is leading you.

Joseph is one of the central figures in the Bible...a key player,
yet his words are not recorded on those pages.

The actions of Joseph make up for his lack of words.
Joseph allowed his faith in the unknown take him into a greater life.
For this reason, it depends on faith,
so that it may be a gift,
and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants,
not to those who only adhere to the law
but to those who follow the faith of Abraham...

According to the law Joseph had every right
to abandon Mary once he had knowledge of her pregnancy.
No one would have questioned his decision
to terminate his relationship with her.

God spoke to Joseph in a dream.
Messages in dreams are as real as if you were awake.
This is what must have happened with Joseph;
he did not waiver from what he was told in his sleep.

The faith of Joseph was somehow strengthened.
Any doubts he might have entertained were removed from his heart.
He let God use him in spite of what the laws were dictating.

We have many examples of faith through out the Bible.
The faith and obedience of Joseph made it possible
for Mary and Jesus to be protected by God.

Reflecting on Saint Joseph today
let your own faith be renewed.

Joseph had no reason to stay with Mary...
other than his faith.
He was true to his calling,
even in his apparent silence.

Joseph loved Jesus as his own child;
we must always remember.
Joseph provided and protected Mary and Jesus

being faithful to God.

We pray today for all fathers.
We pray that they will take their vocation of father seriously.
It is a great honor to be a father.

Blessed to be inspired by the faith of St. Joseph.
~~~Peace~~~ 

Saint Joseph, pray for us.