By Sister Celine, O.C.D.
Often in life the most beautiful moments, the climax of our “success,” or life changing events happen after many daily choices and habits we have made along the way. The same can be said when we respond to challenging times or situations that we did not know were coming. Our responses are formed from the habits of choice we made many a time before and yet grace is never lacking. Countless times this year I have witnessed family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers, hope against hope and answer “yes” to the challenges, losses, and hurdles they faced. Their trust and faith spoke loudly in their actions!
Sacred Scripture remains silent regarding St. Joseph’s childhood and young brief life. Nor are any of his words recorded. Yet, second only to his most beloved wife, Mary, our Blessed Mother, his actions loudly proclaimed that He is a man filled with faith, hope and love. His daily “fiat” resounded in His fidelity to His God-given task. I firmly believe St. Joseph was chosen by the heavenly father as a man of unequaled devotion and love for God. The Father, giving St. Joseph custody of His beloved Son, chose a man after his own heart. St. Joseph, lived daily in a continuous song of love for God’s will in his life.
Just as we would repeatedly say “yes” to the people we love most dearly, regardless of the cost, we can create a habit of proclaiming loudly the small fiat’s or “yeses” in all circumstances for the love of God. St. Teresa reminds us that God’s gift of contemplation and union with Himself comes as just that – a pure gift. Those who desire this gift can only dispose themselves to receive it and God, who sees the heart, rewards them.
Beloved of the Lord, today, invite St. Joseph to be the father of your interior life and ask him to help you dispose your soul in humility and purity of heart for the greatest of God’s gifts – Himself.
Original watercolor paintings created by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles
