The following reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2014, whose website is located at DailyScripture.net Are you prepared to obey the Lord in everything? Faith in Gods word and obedience to his commands go hand in hand. Joseph, like Mary, is a model of faith and justice. Matthew tells us that Joseph was a just man. John Chrysostom (347-407 AD), a gifted preacher and bishop of Constantinople, comments on the great virtue we see in Joseph which qualified him to be a worthy guardian and foster father for the child Jesus: The concept of just here signifies the man who possesses all the virtues. By justice one at times understands only one virtue in particular, as in the phrase: the one who is not avaricious (greedy) is just. But justice also refers to virtue in general. And it is in this sense, above all, that scripture uses the word justice. For example, it refers to: a just man and true (cf. Job 1:1), or the two were just (cf. Luke 1:6). Joseph, then, being just, that is to say good and charitable... Josephs faith was put to the test when he discovered that his espoused wife Mary was pregnant. Joseph, being a just and God-fearing man, did not wish to embarrass, punish, or expose Mary to harm. To all outward appearances she had broken their solemn pledge to be faithful and chaste to one another. Joseph, no doubt took this troubling matter to God in prayer. He was not hasty to judge or to react with hurt and anger. God rewarded him not only with guidance and consolation, but with the divine assurance that he had indeed called Joseph to be the husband of Mary and to assume a mission that would require the utmost faith, confidence, and trust in Almighty God. Joseph believed in the divine message to take Mary as his wife and to accept the child in her womb as the promised Messiah, who is both the only begotten Son of God and son of Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph was a worthy successor to the great patriarchs of the old covenant - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joseph followed the call of God through the mysterious circumstances that surrounded the coming of Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah who fulfilled all the promises made to Abraham and his offspring. God entrusted this silent, humble man with the unique privilege of raising, protecting, teaching, and training Jesus as a growing child. Joseph accepted his role of fatherly care with faith, trust, and obedience to the will of God. He is a model for all who are entrusted with the care, instruction, and protection of the young. Joseph is a faithful witness and servant of Gods unfolding plan of redemption. Are you ready to put your trust in the Lord to give you his help and guidance in fulfilling your responsibilities? God gives strength and guidance to those who seek his help, especially when we face trials, doubts, fears, perplexing circumstances, and what seems like insurmountable problems and challenges in our personal lives. God our heavenly Father has not left us alone, but has given us his only begotten Son Jesus as our savior, teacher, lord, and healer. Where do you need Gods help and guidance? Ask the Lord to increase your faith and trust in his promises and in his guiding hand in your life. Lord Jesus, you came to free us from the power of sin, fear, and death, and to heal and restore us to wholeness of life. May I always trust in your saving help, guidance, wisdom, and plan for my life. The following reflection is courtesy of PresentationMinistries (c) 2014. Their website is located at PresentationMinistries FAITH-HEARING All depends on faith, everything is grace. Romans 4:16 In our highly secularized society and churches, our faith is weak. Many Christians doubt the truth of the Bible, Jesus institution the Church, Jesus real presence in the Eucharist, and even the objectivity of moral standards. In this secularized condition, we desperately need faith and examples of faith. We need St. Joseph, the man of faith. Joseph made some of the greatest acts of faith in history. He believed that his fiance, Mary, was with child by the power of the Holy Spirit (Mt 1:20-24). Joseph had such faith that he obeyed the Lords command to take Jesus and Mary and flee to Egypt (Mt 2:13-14). We need the faith of Joseph. All depends on faith (Rm 4:16), yet faith can be rare (see Lk 18:8). The necessity and rarity of faith make it even more important to have all the help we can get to grow in faith. Faith in Jesus is a result of a good, personal relationship with Him. Faith is confident assurance (Heb 11:1). It comes through hearing (Rm 10:17), as is normally the case with any aspects of a personal relationship. For example, as we hear another person better, we deepen our relationship with this person and develop a confident assurance in their presence. Joseph, having been called to be Jesus foster-father, heard Jesus first words. Joseph not only heard Jesus first words, but many of His words for years. Thereby, Joseph developed a faith that was even greater than he had before Jesus conception. Joseph heard Jesus in a unique way. He had great faith. He is willing to share his faith with us. Ask Joseph to pray for you. Prayer: Father, may I see the full significance of Your calling of Joseph to be Jesus foster-father. Promise: Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before Me; your throne shall stand firm forever. 2 Sm 7:16 Praise: St. Joseph protected Jesus from an assassination attempt. Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant my permission to publish One Bread, One Body covering the period from February 1, 2014 through March 31, 2014.Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 8, 2013. The rescript 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 ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 17:34:45 +0000
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