In difficult situations, dilemmas, quest between the truth and Charity sometimes we seek justification. We quickly identify the wrong, and the betrayal; we are cornered by pain. We seek relief by exposing that individual who has failed us. The world will clap for us! Pope Francis in his Apostolic letter Patris Cordis (With Father’s Love) says that often in life, things happen whose meaning we do not understand.
Our first reaction is frequently one of disappointment and rebellion. "Joseph set aside his ideas in order to accept the course of events and, mysterious as they seemed, to embrace them, take responsibility for them and make them part of his history." — Patris Cordis, Apostolic letter by Pope Francis (150th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Joseph as patron of the universal church)
You Can Only Listen in Silence
St Joseph gives us an insight, be quiet and try to move silently and that is when you hear the voice of God. However, this is not against admonishing evil or correcting one another. St Joseph in moving silently and willing to divorce Mary without exposing her, shows how he had loved her. The love that covers the shame of the other. No matter what happened he didn't want to expose her. He understood what could have happened according to Jewish custom, stoning to death of her though this would be impossible because it was God's plan.
Joseph reverses the human ego of self-glorification or justification which we must fight against every day. What happens when someone wrongs me or you? The tendency is to prove how wrong he was to everyone else. See how families are breaking so fast because sometimes we lack enough patience to hold a little while and see what God would do in such situation. St Joseph teaches us to hold a little while in silence prayer.
The Love of a Family
Family love should be oriented towards saving each other. Should aim at covering one another from shame, however, not abandon one's responsibility from one's action but taking moments of prayer on all occasions. Ask yourself what is God's will upon this family situation? It's in that silence God will speak to you.
Secondly, let's us seek grace of obedience towards God's will. In the scripture whenever God calls people for mission sometimes is not easy. It requires change in life. Abraham left his ancestral land, Moses left his job of taking care of sheep, and here Joseph has embraced new life by taking care of Jesus. He accepted to be a foster father of Emmanuel, God with us.
Called to be Unified
When God calls couples, he wants them to be one, to resemble, to sacrifice and love one another fully. Is this not a change of life? Take a look at the moments the fathers at home toil long hours for their family. The moments the mothers work extra time by waking up early in the morning to make the family better and the children stand in between helping with different family chores without complaining. This is driven by love and silent prayer. Joseph teaches us three things about the family.
1. Seek God in silence when you can't understand the life situation.
2. Follow God's voice and will.
3. Be ready for a change in life depending on God’s plan
- Today’s Readings
- Father Joachim's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
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