Listening and Obedience

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means "God is with us."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home. (Mt 1: 18-24)

Silence, listening, and obedience to the will of God are the constants in the life of Saint Joseph, who is perhaps the most humble man whom we meet in the Gospel, along with John the Baptist. These men sacrifice their will and strength when it seems to come into conflict with the will of God, training themselves to pass through the narrow gate, certain of the enormous reward that awaits them in the Kingdom of heaven. Let us therefore remember to ask for help from Saint Joseph to learn how to entrust ourselves to God, as he did, without seeking to escape from the difficulties that life presents.