St. Joseph – Pray for us #Catholic

March 19th. The feast day of St. Joseph.

Joseph, husband to Mary.

Joseph, father to Jesus.

Joseph, chosen above all other men to care for our Savior.

The angel came to him three times in dreams. I won’t focus on the significance of the number three – most people are aware about the symbolism of the number that runs rampant throughout the Bible.

Joseph was a simple man. A carpenter. Do you know of any carpenters in your life today? Or how about just men? Imagine, they were told that they were going to raise a baby that was created by him – or by any other man – but by the Holy Spirit. I don’t know how receptive I would be to the news that my soon to be wife is pregnant with a child that isn’t mine – how much more mind boggling do you think it was when the angel came to visit Joseph in a dream to tell him that the child in Mary’s womb is of divine nature!

Mind. Boggling.

I do have to say that I love the way that even in this one bible story, it’s clear that men and women need to be treated and dealt with differently. The angel Gabriel came to visit Mary while she was awake -  just doing her chores. Not Joseph though. Are men a bit more stubborn to get the message across to? Is that why the angel appeared to him in a dream instead of during awake hours?

Makes you wonder!

I commend Joseph, and while I’m not a male, I want to be more like him. He is a model father, but he’s also a man of obedience (much like Mary). He could’ve easily have run away – played Mary as an adulteress – but he didn’t. He instead, took Jesus in his arms as his own child and helped to shape Him into the man that He is (though I’m also certain that God had a big part in that!).

During my bible study with the teens (which is done next week – crazy!), the presenter, Mark Hart, was talking about Joseph. So often we look back at the nativity story, and just prior, as Joseph’s “big moment”. Not much more is said about Joseph after Jesus’ birth – sure there are a few mentions, such as when they were searching for Him before finding Him in the temple – but in the grand scheme of the Bible, Joseph isn’t mentioned all that much. Let’s think about him though. I mean, he was asked to spend his life with Mary, his sinless wife, and Jesus, God himself. Can you imagine sitting around the dinner table with both Jesus and Mary, while it’s your turn to say the blessing? Talk about pressure!

Today, on this feast of St. Joseph, may we all strive to be open to what God is asking of us. May we be obedient to the voice of God and may we pray that the young men of this world will seek him as a role model of obedience and love.

Stubbornness

Some people, are just plan stubborn.

A couple of days ago, I wrote a post about atheists. The post had mixed reviews…even among those who do believe in God.

Today I found myself reading from Exodus in the Bible. Chapter 8 to be exact…the beginning of the plagues. For those who aren’t too familiar with the story, God sent Moses and Aaron as His “messengers” to Pharaoh to let the people of Israel out of Egypt. Each time Moses confronted Pharaoh on behalf of God, Pharaoh stated that he’d let the people go, but only if….

No matter how hard God tried to get Pharaoh to cooperate, Pharaoh just didn’t believe and would go back on his word each and every time.

After reading that I took a minute and thought about how that story is relevant in todays world. There are quite a few people that I know, myself included, who are stubborn and set in their ways. It’s their way, or no way…and don’t even bother to tell them otherwise.

The great thing about God is that it doesn’t matter how many times you may push Him away; He’s still going to love you anyway. He gave us all free will…to be able to make our own choices. Sometimes that choice also means pushing Him further and further away. Luckily our God is a mighty God, who doesn’t necessarily want to be separated from His children, will accept your decision anyway.

So what does this have to do with atheists?

At times I feel as though I’m one of God’s messengers. We are all called to preach the Gospel to others…to spread God’s word. Our toughest target are atheists. I don’t know if I’d call them being stubborn, but the fact that atheists deny the existence of God, can be understood as a form of stubbornness…of not wanting to believe in Him…much like Pharaoh did all those many years ago.

The Bible is supposed to teach us lessons, so as not to make the same mistakes over and over again. It just seems that we have the same characters, with a different plot, in a different time period and different people.

How do you reach those who refuse to believe?

No time

Some of you may have noticed the lack of activity with this blog…and I have a reason for it.

Laziness.

I’ve recently taken on a new position at work. One which is changing my hours, changing my workload and changing my habits. Currently I’m in training and I’m away from my computer and my ability to be able to post while at work. I do the majority of my blogging from work as typically that’s when most of my thoughts congeal together to form a post. I usually end up coming home and crashing…doing the facebook and twitter thing and then going to bed.

If you look at that above statement, no where in there does it mention any God time. Enter laziness.

I LOVE spending time with God…face to face…in adoration. I spent time in the adoration chapel last week (Tuesday to be exact) and that was the last time I picked up my bible for bible study…the last time I spent any decent amount of time with God. My laziness has gotten the best of me and I’ve used the excuse of not having any time.

I can’t keep living like this.

We all have our moments when God is more front and center than other times. We are human after all. But we should strive to make Him first and foremost ALL of the time, not just sometimes. It’s hard. Sometimes very hard. But then I think back to Jesus on the cross and I know that there is nothing that I can do that will ever be able to repay God for that. His love for me is just so abounding and while I love Him back, sometimes I know it’s not enough.

I will be spending time with Him today. I’m heading over to the chapel in a little while…and I again get to be in His presence during adoration tonight with my youth group kids. Today, I’m looking forward to a good day. I pray that tomorrow I will be graced with a good day too.

Blessing of the day

Today has been crazy. Crazy at work, crazy physically, crazy mentally…even my possessions are crazed today.

The amazing part of it all? The blessing I get to receive tonight.

I’ve started a bible study and catechism study. Typically I start it at work…shortly after my friend Hollie leaves for the night. Any other day I would be upset and forcing it to happen (distractedly) while at work, just to “get it done”. Today though, is Wednesday. On Wednesday’s I have choir rehearsal…which means that right after work I head up to the church. I usually sit around for about 45 minutes or so reading or just relaxing (as it makes no sense for me to go home since I live a half hour away from the church). Tonight though, I get to do my bible study in our perpetual adoration chapel.

Physically, mentally, and visually in Jesus’ presence. What a blessing!

I’m looking forward to see what He has to say to me tonight. .

P.S. Just as I published this post my boss called me…telling me to stay late if we get busy. I must have something big coming my way tonight!