joseph now more than ever
"Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother and left that night for Egypt." —Matthew 2:14
One of the best birthdays and Christmas presents we can give Jesus is to make sure children in the womb also have birthdays. "God did not make death, nor does He rejoice in the destruction of the living" (Wis 1:13). The Lord does not want His creatures destroyed but born into His abundant life (Jn 10:10). We should ask Jesus this question: "In 2008, what are You calling me to do to save today's holy innocents from Planned Parenthood and other Herods?"
Like Joseph, we must get God's answer to this question. We could do many "good" things, but we must discern the "God" thing to do. Like Joseph, we need to be open to even the most radical calling from God. Can we hear God tell us to leave everything behind immediately and go to the Egypt in our lives? The question is not if He's calling us in this way but can He call us, anywhere, at any time, for anything. Joseph's radical openness to God's will is necessary to save all the holy innocents. Joseph is the model for pro-life, life, and Christmas.
Prayer: St. Joseph, pray for me to be like Jesus as you were.
Promise: "We have, in the presence of the Father, Jesus Christ, an Intercessor Who is just. He is an Offering for our sins, and not for our sins only, but for those of the whole world." —1 Jn 2:1-2
Praise: The Holy Innocents were first of countless martyrs who died so that the faith could be passed on to us.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape The Culture of Death on audio AV 73-3 or video V-73.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 30, 2007
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.