Saint Joseph: The Dream of Vocation
The Pope's Message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations
In his message for the 58th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the Holy Father Francis encouraged all those who were called to experience joy in faithful service to brothers and sisters. The Pope referred to the Year of St. Joseph and pointed to the Guardian of Jesus as a model of the fulfillment of the vocation.
Francis points out that St. Joseph is a person close to each of us. “He did not do astonishing things, he had no unique charisms, nor did he appear special in the eyes of those who met him. He was not famous or even noteworthy: The Gospels do not report even a single word of his. Still, through his ordinary life, he accomplished something extraordinary in the eyes of God” - writes the Pope.
He notes that for God only the human heart matters, and in Joseph He recognized the devotional heart of the father. Francis reminds us that God wants to form hearts that are open, committed, generous in self-giving, compassionate in bringing comfort in sorrows and strong in bringing hope. Especially today, “in times marked by fragility but also by the sufferings due to the pandemic, which has spawned uncertainties and fears about the future and the very meaning of life. Saint Joseph comes to meet us in his gentle way, as one of “the saints next door”. At the same time, his strong witness can guide us on the journey” - we read in the papal message
The Pope notes that Joseph's calling is best described by three key words. The first is "dream". The Pope emphasizes that every person dream of a fulfilled life and lofty prospects that will not be replaced by fleeting goals such as success, money or entertainment. Everyone's dream is love that gives meaning to life, because it reveals its mystery, which, according to the Pope, is the ability to give one's life to others. Saint Joseph is the best example of following that inner voice revealed to him in his sleep.
In fleeting dreams, he recognized the voice of God because his heart was already set to him. His watchful "inner ear" only needed a small nod to recognize God's voice. “This applies also to our calling: God does not like to reveal himself in a spectacular way, pressuring our freedom. He conveys his plans to us with gentleness. He 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. In this way, as he did with Saint Joseph, he sets before us profound and unexpected horizons.” - we read in the papal message.
Following God's voice turned the life of St. Joseph. Yet each time he was won over by the courage to follow the Lord's will. "The same happens in vocation - writes Francis. - God’s call always urges us to take a first step, to give ourselves, to press forward. There can be no faith without risk. Only by abandoning ourselves confidently to grace, setting aside our own programs and comforts, can we truly say “yes” to God. " The Holy Father emphasizes that thanks to this attitude, St. Joseph can be an inspiration for young people in the decision to follow the voice of their vocation, i.e., to fulfill God's dream for them.
The second word that characterizes the path of St. Joseph and his calling is "service." The Gospels show that he lived for others in everything. His ability to love meant that he kept nothing to himself. “Every true vocation is born of the gift of oneself, which is the fruit of mature sacrifice. The priesthood and consecrated life likewise requires this kind of maturity. Whatever our vocation, whether to marriage, celibacy or virginity, our gift of self will not come to fulfilment if it stops at sacrifice; were that the case, instead of becoming a sign of the beauty and joy of love, the gift of self would risk being an expression of unhappiness, sadness and frustration "- writes the Pope.
The service was for St. Joseph not only a lofty ideal, but a rule of everyday life. He worked hard to find and adapt a place where Jesus could be born; he did everything in his power to protect him from the wrath of Herod by arranging a timely trip to Egypt; he quickly returned to Jerusalem in search of the lost Jesus; he supported his family by working, also in a foreign land. “Such thoughtful concern is the sign of a true vocation, the testimony of a life touched by the love of God. What a beautiful example of Christian life we give when we refuse to pursue our ambitions or indulge in our illusions, but instead care for what the Lord has entrusted to us through the Church! " - Francis emphasized.
The last word that characterizes St. Joseph is " fidelity." Joseph is a man who, in diligent silence every day, persistently sticks to God and His plans. He does not allow himself to be controlled by haste, he does not succumb to the temptation to make hasty decisions, he does not follow his instincts, he does not live in the moment. He cares for everything patiently. He knows that life can only be built by being constantly ready to make big decisions. (…) Vocation, like life, matures only through fidelity every day. (…) This fidelity is the secret of joy” notes Francis
“Every true vocation is born of the gift of oneself, which is the fruit of mature sacrifice. The priesthood and consecrated life likewise require this kind of maturity. Whatever our vocation, whether to marriage, celibacy or virginity, our gift of self will not come to fulfilment if it stops at sacrifice; were that the case, instead of becoming a sign of the beauty and joy of love, the gift of self would risk being an expression of unhappiness, sadness and frustration"- wrote the Pope.
I encourage you to read this message. Each of us, like Saint Joseph, has his own human dreams, desires that are focused on love. His life, like ours, was an ordinary, natural path marked by joys and difficulties, on which love was lived with others and for others, and above all with God, becoming an inspiration or a point of reference for many.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george