杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

As the Church marks the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, 杏MAP导航 Francis released his , which falls this year on 25 April.

The 杏MAP导航 held up the husband of the Virgin Mary and foster-father of Jesus as a model for all members of the clergy and religious men and women. He drew heavily on his Apostolic Letter , released on 8 December 2020, which seeks to 鈥渋ncrease our love for this great saint.鈥�

Heart of a father

St. Joseph, said the 杏MAP导航, is an extraordinary figure, not because of any astonishing charism or special status, but because he accomplished extraordinary acts of service in his daily life.

鈥淕od looks on the heart,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd in Saint Joseph He recognized the heart of a father, able to give and generate life in the midst of daily routines.鈥�

Vocations, he added, have the same goal of begetting and renewing the lives of others.

The priesthood and consecrated life, he said, require men and women with open hearts, who are 鈥渃apable of great initiatives, generous in self-giving, compassionate in comforting anxieties and steadfast in strengthening hopes.鈥�

Chasing a dream

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to focus on three key words which St. Joseph suggests for each individual鈥檚 vocation: dream, service, and fidelity.

The Gospel of Matthew recounts four dreams with which God inspired St. Joseph, each of which represented a difficult call from God.

鈥淎fter each dream, Joseph had to change his plans and take a risk, sacrificing his own plans in order to follow the mysterious designs of God, whom he trusted completely.鈥�

Though it seems strange to us that he would put so much trust in dreams, the Saint let himself be guided without hesitation.

鈥淲hy?鈥� mused the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淏ecause his heart was directed to God; it was already inclined towards Him. A small indication was enough for his watchful 'inner ear' to recognize God鈥檚 voice.鈥�

God鈥檚 call to each of us, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, happens in the same way, without putting pressure on our freedom. 鈥淗e does not overwhelm us with dazzling visions but quietly speaks in the depths of our heart, drawing near to us and speaking to us through our thoughts and feelings.鈥�

Yet, as St. Joseph demonstrates, our acceptance of God鈥檚 call cannot be passive, but requires us to press forward and take risks by abandoning ourselves to grace.

Serving and protecting

杏MAP导航 Francis then considered St. Joseph鈥檚 vocation to service.

鈥淭he Gospels show how Joseph lived entirely for others and never for himself,鈥� he said. 鈥淏y freeing love from all possessiveness, he became open to an even more fruitful service.鈥�

His limitless, selfless love led the Saint to sustain daily sacrifices, as a rule for daily life.

鈥淗e adapted to different circumstances with the attitude of those who do not grow discouraged when life does not turn out as they wished,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淗e showed the willingness typical of those who live to serve.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis added that he likes to think of St. Joseph as the 鈥減rotector of vocations,鈥� since his willingness to serve fills him with a 鈥渃oncern to protect.鈥�

鈥淪uch thoughtful concern is the sign of a true vocation,鈥� he said, 鈥渢he testimony of a life touched by the love of God.鈥�

In simple, daily fidelity

Fidelity, said the 杏MAP导航, is the third aspect of St. Joseph鈥檚 example for all consecrated persons.

He always patiently pondered his actions, and knew that 鈥渟uccess in life is built on constant fidelity to important decisions.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis said God teaches each of us how to nurture fidelity 鈥渋n the light of God鈥檚 own faithfulness.鈥�

鈥淭his fidelity is the secret of joy,鈥� he noted. 鈥淚t the joy of simplicity, the joy experienced daily by those who care for what truly matters: faithful closeness to God and to our neighbour.鈥�

Example of joy

The 杏MAP导航 concluded his message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations by urging the Church鈥檚 ministers to fill their homes with this same 鈥渟imple and radiant, sober and hopeful鈥� joy.

鈥淚 pray that you will experience this same joy, dear brothers and sisters who have generously made God the dream of your lives, serving him in your brothers and sisters through a fidelity that is a powerful testimony in an age of ephemeral choices and emotions that bring no lasting joy.鈥�