Daylight Saving Time is coming up this Sunday! I always look forward to the longer days and warmer weather ahead. How fitting it seems that this month our Church turns its eyes in celebration to Saint Joseph, a saint who is such a light to the Church.

As I turn my thoughts to St. Joseph, I am struck by how reflecting on his life inspires my own daily walk as a Christian. He is an inspiration not only for my work in ministry for the diocese, but also for how I minister as a volunteer in my parish, how I serve my community, and how I minister to my family and the people God has placed in my life.

Here are a few of the ways he inspires me:

He Listened Well

Joseph recognized God’s voice. In the Bible, we are told that three times Joseph received a dream directing him to take action—actions that, to a logical or practical person, may not have seemed reasonable.

What this tells me is that Joseph knew how to recognize God’s voice. While God may not speak to you in dreams (He doesn’t to me), He does speak to each of us. I am sure Joseph recognized God’s voice because he had a relationship with Him. He spoke to Him in prayer and knew how to recognize His voice when He answered.

This does not happen without effort on our part. Any relationship needs time and intimacy to develop. St. Joseph, help us open our ears and inspire us to develop a deep prayer life.

He Is a Man of Action

Joseph has such a pivotal role in the early life of Jesus. He is the person God chose to be His earthly father. Yet we do not hear a single word from Joseph in Scripture. But that does not mean he was not impactful.

He spent his time quietly doing his job—caring for and protecting Mary and Jesus. Words are not what we have from him; we have action.

Imagine—he was the earthly image young Jesus had of what a father is. St. Joseph, patron saint of the Universal Church, help us to be women of action in protecting, defending, and passing on the Catholic faith.

He Surrendered His Life to a Mission He Would Not Live to See Completed

How often do I look for recognition or reward for the ways in which I serve the Lord? Am I willing to do what is needed with little to no thanks or acknowledgment? Will I make the effort to plant seeds of faith in gardens I may not live to see flourish?

This is our call.

Joseph is a perfect model of a man who surrendered to the will of God yet did not, in this life, see the full fruits of that surrender. The last time we hear of Joseph in the Bible is when Jesus was found in the Temple. He is not mentioned again once Jesus begins His public ministry at 33.

We know Joseph had a formative role in Jesus’ hidden years. Jesus learned His trade from Joseph, and Joseph was His example of how a man follows the traditions of the Jewish faith.

St. Joseph, help us to quietly follow the call God has designed for us and to do so with humility and without seeking attention. Help us to let the light shine on Jesus and Mary, just as you did.

I hope you have a fabulous March. Please read through the opportunities for service, faith formation, and prayer we have suggested for this month, and join us on our journey of putting our Faith In Action Together (FIAT). God has entrusted all the souls of our diocese to His Church. May we serve Him well!

St. Joseph, pray for us!

Barb