Trust in the Lord

“Commit your way to the LORD; 

trust in him and he will act 

and make your righteousness shine like the dawn,  

your justice like noonday.”  

(Psalm 37:5-6)

I came across a small paragraph in Fr. Michael Najim's book, Radical Surrender: Letters to Seminarians, that pointed to Joe as a model for trust:

"Consider St. Joseph. He is a model of trust. the Gospel stories about Joseph so clearly indicated that he placed his absolute trust in the Lord. Once the Lord spoke to him, he did not question; he simply acted. God said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home' (Mt. 1:20). So Joseph chose not to be afraid, and he took Mary into his home. Then God said, 'Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt' (Mt. 2:13). So, Joseph rose and took Jesus and Mary to Egypt. He did not question; he just acted. He placed his trust in God..." (pg. 25)

How true it is that Joe is a model of trust! How wonderful it is to behold Joe as a splendid example of what is spoken of in Psalm 37! Indeed, Joe trusted in the LORD and certainly the LORD made his "righteousness shine like the dawn" and his "justice like the noonday."

Do Not Fear!

The first of Joe’s joys (say that ten time fast!) is the message of the Angel to settle the sorrow of his doubt around Mary’s pregnancy. Matthew relates to us that the Angel said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home...” (Matthew 1:20). 

Some time ago, I came across an article that Pope St John Paul II wrote entitled “A Meditation on Giveness”. It is a worthwhile read for sure, and I can not recommend it highly enough, but if you cannot read the whole thing, at least read this short section where he opens up the message of the Angel to Joe:

I think that every man, whatever his station in life or his life’s vocation, must at some point hear those words which Joseph of Nazareth once heard: “Do not be afraid to take Mary to yourself” (Mt 1:20). “Do not be afraid to take” means do everything to recognize that gift which she is for you. Fear only one thing: that you try to appropriate that gift. That is what you should fear. As long as she remains a gift from God himself to you, you can safely rejoice in all that she is as that gift. What is more, you ought even to do everything you can to recognize that gift, to show her how unique a treasure she is. 

I think Joe really recognized the gift that Mary was to him, and it was exactly this recognition that caused him fear. How often we think, "This sounds too good to be true!" when someone makes a tremendous offer. We recoil in fear that perhaps it is not. Joe received and cherished God's gift of Mary, as I'm sure that Mary received and cherished God's gift of Joe to her.

The Seven Sorrows

Two days ago, we celebrated the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross—the feast of suffering being transformed into glory. Yesterday, we celebrated the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows—the memory that Mary participated in the sufferings of her Son and thus, entered into the glory of her Son.

It seems appropriate to me that today, we should perhaps reflect on Joe’s sorrows. Like Mary, tradition has enumerated seven sorrows (and accompanying joys) of Joe:

1. The Doubt of St Joseph => The Message of the Angel

2. The Poverty of Jesus’ Birth => The Birth of the Savior

3. The Circumcision => The Holy Name of Jesus

4. The Prophecy of Simeon => The Effects of the Redemption 

5. The Flight into Egypt => The Overthrow of the Idols of Egypt

6. The Return from Egypt => Life with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth 

7. The Loss of the Child Jesus => The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

There are a plethora of prayers that are based on this tradition. Here is one that I found to be helpful: http://osjusa.org/prayers/seven-sorrows-and-joys/ 

Saved from a Nail

I just came across this short article about a woman’s encounter with Joe, calling him “My Main Man”. I especially loved her closing words:

But I do know for sure that the saints are not far away and sometimes they really do get involved in our nitty-gritty matters, both big and small. And sometimes—even when we have not asked—their invisible heavenly fingerprints appear in the darndest places. I know Saint Joseph is not plastic, not by a longshot. This powerful guy with heavenly clout demonstrates over and over that he really does have my back. Not only does he help me navigate treacherous roads anytime I ask, but sometimes he extends his proactive care even when I haven’t a clue that I need it. 

Perhaps, he particularly loves helping us silently and in the background. Perhaps, he loves leaving for us those little gifts here and there that we really don't notice until one day, looking back, we recognize his presence. 

Happy birthday

The thought occurred to me yesterday: Joe obviously had a birthday and I’m sure Jesus and Mary celebrated it with him. I wonder when his birthday was and how did they celebrate? Did he take the day off of work? Did they stay up late to watch the stars move across the sky? Did they have a special meal? 

I found this particular Rabbi’s recommendation fitting for Joe: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/652307/jewish/How-to-Celebrate.htm 

Perhaps we might make these a practice on our own birthdays.