On March 19th, the Universal Church celebrated the solemnity of St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, foster father of Jesus and patron of the Catholic Church. At Mass we were given two options for the gospel. The first was from the gospel according to Matthew concerning the birth of our Savior.
Often have I pondered what Joseph was thinking when he discovered that the ever blessed and virgin Mary was with child. How troubled he must have been knowing that his betrothed was expecting. On one hand he knew her to be holy, pure, chaste and virginal but after considerable thought without the supernatural guidance of understanding from the Holy Sprit, “Since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly” (Mt 1:19).
It was after this that an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her” (Mt 1:20). Reading on we discover that Joseph responded promptly without fear and took his wife into his home and became the guardian of the Christ Child.
Isn’t it fear of losing something one is attached to that prevents one’s growth in holiness? It could be something sinful- or even something that is not sinful- that we are called to give up for a greater good. Recently I visited a group of teens at the home of John and Cindy Maher to discuss social justice and why we need to help the poor. I explained there are two reasons to do so.
First, after reading what Jesus said about the general judgment on the last day, one may be tempted to assist those in need because they ‘fear the loss of heaven and the pains of hell.’
‘But most of all because they offend thee my God…’ brings us to the second and best reason: because we love God and have the sure faith that Jesus lives in them. “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40).
Like St. Joseph, we need to take heed of the words that were uttered to him by the angel of the Lord, the same words reiterated by the late Pope John Paul II, “Be not afraid!”
I pointed out that fidelity to the gospel because of fear usually does not work well, but when one truly loves God one acts out of love. Herein lies peace, the peace that only God gives, which is different from the peace that the world gives which cannot be explained.
I further explained that since starting as the director of Catholic Social Services, I have met numerous generous donors who reflect this peace in their faces, and monthly sign many thank you letters to other benefactors that I have not met. Even though I have not met them, I am confident that they too have found that peace in their great love which is expressed in the charity to the poor by their generosity to us.
To all of our generous supporters, thank you!! St. Joseph, pray for us!!
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