Day Eighteen - Our Spiritual Foster Father

Today's Reflection:
by Alison Simpson

Saint Josemaria Escriva once said, “Some Saints are privileged to extend to us their patronage with particular efficacy in certain needs, but not in others; but our holy patron St. Joseph has the power to assist us in all cases, in every necessity, in every undertaking.” I don’t know about you but sometimes I forget to ask for St. Joseph’s intercession. However, he’s one of our greatest assistants on this journey to sainthood! And what a perfect day to reflect on the relationship we should have with our spiritual foster father, St. Joseph! On this joyous feast day, I encourage you to spend some time in prayer. Ask for St. Joseph’s assistance during this Lenten season. If you have any particular intentions, take them to Papa Joseph. He is so close to Jesus and wants to help you grow closer to him too.

St. Joseph is such an important figure. The Holy Family would not be complete without him. God recognized the importance of having an earthly mother and father for Jesus, who is fully human and fully divine. This is why it’s so important for families to stick together. Children need a mother and father figure present in their lives. It teaches them true love, grit, patience, truth, and much more. Maybe you can do a novena to St. Joseph with your family this Lent and pray that God may strengthen the bonds of your family. St. Joseph wants you to adopt him as your spiritual foster father.

In addition to recognizing the importance of accepting St. Joseph as our spiritual foster father, today is a special day to pray for all fathers, especially the fathers of unborn children. It is common for men force to women to get an abortion and threaten to leave them if they don’t. This is usually due to fear, finances, lack of readiness, etc. However, there are resources and ministries that not only help mothers but also fathers, whether that be post abortion or while people are in the process of thinking about one. Our prayers and kind words can do wonders. Sometimes all someone needs to hear is “you can do this”, or better yet “God will provide.” I am sure this is exactly how St. Joseph felt when God sent the angel to speak to him. St. Joseph was no longer afraid and no longer considered quietly divorcing Mary. He was obedient to God and knew that He would provide. Ask St. Joseph to pray for these fathers and encourage them to choose life.

St. Joseph’s intercession is so powerful. For, St. Josemaria Escriva did say that “St. Joseph has the power to assist us in all case, in every necessity, in every undertaking.” This is truly so comforting. Just think about how his intercession is much more powerful than some of the saints combined! St. Joseph is a perfect role model. He was obedient, humble, charitable, and soft-spoken. He should be the type of man that boys look up to and the type of man that girls want to find in a future spouse. Not only does he want you to grow closer to Jesus, but he also wants you to grow closer to his bride: Mary. St. Joseph is the best husband and father that ever walked this planet. What better patron to have for husbands and fathers! May you be able to adopt St. Joseph as your foster father. He wants to have a special friendship with you, especially this Lenten season.

Prayer to St. Joseph

The Silence of Joseph echoes in a world of noise turning a cacophony of self-love into a melody of self-surrender.

The Silence of Joseph is a seed which bears the fruit of holiness and courage.

The Silence of Joseph drowns the din of sorrow and silences the wailing of the weak.

The Silence of Joseph draws the world to a cave in Bethlehem where God is born as man and man is born again.

The Silence of Joseph draws us to our knees in worship of the Word made flesh in whose presence all words of men lose their meaning.

The Silence of Joseph directs a symphony of silence which stills the universe in adoration of the One in Whom the New creation has come.

Let us join our silence to the Silence of Joseph.

Amen.

Prayer written by Deacon Keith Fournier and published by Catholic Online.