the super-man of faith
"Joseph, son of David, have no fear about taking Mary as your wife. It is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this Child." —Matthew 1:20
In one week, we will celebrate the first day of the Christmas season. Have you prepared the way of the Lord? (Lk 3:4) Do you have faith strong enough to move mountains (Mt 17:20) so as to fill in the valleys, make the crooked straight, and the rough smooth? (Lk 3:5) All, including Christmas, "depends on faith" (Rm 4:16). But when Christ comes this Christmas and at the end of the world, "will He find any faith on the earth?" (Lk 18:8)
To grow strong in faith, we must recognize the cloud of witnesses surrounding us (Heb 12:1). They in turn will help us recognize Christ and fix our eyes on Him Who is the Beginning and the End of our faith (Heb 12:2). Realize that right now you are surrounded by Mary, John the Baptizer, and countless other saints in heaven and on earth. Recognize especially Joseph's presence. He made one of the greatest acts of faith in history. He believed the unimaginable — that Mary had conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit (Mt 1:20).
Joseph was the super-man of faith. Recognize Joseph, who will direct you to Jesus, Who will gift you with deep faith. St. Joseph, pray for us.
Prayer: Father, work through Your witnesses to help me receive mountain-moving faith and more.
Promise: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous Shoot to David." —Jer 23:5
Praise: Sally believed for ten years that her lukewarm husband would give his life to Jesus. She never stopped praying for him. He gradually responded to Jesus, finally went to Confession, and now the family has joined a small Christian community.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, June 20, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 1996