SAINT JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (SOLEMNITY)

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. 

This Scripture passage shows us something very important about St. Joseph: he was quick to obey God’s will. He was ready to divorce Mary after learning she was pregnant, but everything changed after an angel visited him in a dream. He immediately took Mary into his house. He willingly let go of his plans and followed what he now understood to be the Lord’s will.

It may seem remarkable to us that Joseph was so quick to obey—especially since he was about to become the guardian of the Son of God! But it wasn’t just one dream that convinced Joseph to do the right thing. He didn’t suddenly become obedient in that one situation. He was “a righteous man” who had spent his life keeping the Torah (Matthew 1:19).Through a lifetime of ordinary obedience, his heart became set on obeying whatever God asked of him.

How can you cultivate such a spirit of obedience? Don’t worry that you might be asked to do something out of the ordinary. Just keep doing what you already know you need to do. Joseph kept building an attitude of obedience in his care for his family and following the commandments. He learned to hear God as he was faithful to his commitments.

As you follow Joseph’s example and keep at it, you’ll be much more apt to hear when the Lord wants to tell you something specific. And if you do feel God inviting you to do something specific, try to obey him. If it’s something difficult or unpleasant, your first response may be “No thanks!” But if you’ve been cultivating obedience in your ordinary duties, you’ll not only be better able to hear God’s voice, but you’ll also have the courage to respond positively.

Above everything else, remember St. Joseph. Follow his example—and when you struggle with obedience, bring it to him as a powerful intercessor.

“St. Joseph, most obedient, pray for us!”

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