What could have happened if St Joseph, the foster Father of Jesus, failed to dream, or failed to listen to his dream, or failed to act on his dream? Perhaps, St Jodeph the Carpenter could have compromised the safety of his Family: Jesus and Mary. But St Joseph, the Humble Man of Faith, was spontaneous in his response to God’s message. God’s countenance lifted St Joseph to pursue God’s purpose in his life. God’s plan prevailed.
Lent is a time for us to recenter our lives to God. It is a gracious time to examine our hearts and listen to God’s message in our prayerful dreams. It is a time to forgive so that Divine Justice may be served.
Divine Justice is never punitive. It is restorative and transformational. It purposely seeks to lift up others for God’s glory alone. We choose to forgive because we want to be whole. Otherwise we become bitter.
So like St. Joseph who chose to quietly live his purpose, may we serve God, too, in the most simple and transformative way we can. We lift up people and break the chains of angst, anger, pride, oppression, hate, jealousy, and such others. We choose love because this is God. May we live God’s dream for us. God, too, has desires and dreams for us.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Just Snippets 