Learning to be Quick to Listen

St. Joseph stands in sacred Scripture not as a man of grandeur or earthly accolades, but as a quiet, steady presence—humble and deeply human. His imperfections, though never sinful, point to his full humanity. Unlike Mary, Joseph was not conceived without original sin. He experienced doubt, confusion, and fear—especially when he learned that Mary was with child (Matthew 1:19). Yet it is precisely in these moments that Joseph becomes most relatable to fathers today: imperfect, yet open to grace. According to Consecration to St. Joseph by Fr. Donald Calloway, Joseph’s greatness lies not in being perfect, but in his immediate obedience to God despite his limitations. His strength was in his surrender. Joseph’s transformation from uncertainty to unwavering trust is a pattern of holiness forged through responsiveness to divine direction. The Bible tells us that after the angel appeared to him in a dream, Joseph "did as the angel of the Lord commanded him" (Matthew 1:24), taking ...

In the quiet corners of the Gospel narratives, a figure of profound strength and unwavering faith emerges: St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus and the chaste spouse of Mary. While his words are few, his actions speak volumes, revealing a man of extraordinary virtue and divine purpose. The Catholic Church recognizes St. Joseph as a powerful intercessor and a model for all believers. He is celebrated as the most chaste spouse of Mary, a testament to his profound respect and love for her and their shared mission. His purity of heart allowed him to fully embrace God's plan, becoming the guardian of the Holy Family. One particularly intriguing aspect of St. Joseph is the belief that he is the "Terror of Demons." Tradition holds that the devil fears Joseph most when he is sleeping, for it is in these moments of repose that Joseph is believed to be in deep communion with God, receiving divine guidance and interceding for the faithful. Imagine, the demons fear his dreams, ...

In his teachings, Pope Francis often warns Christians of the subtle temptation to slip toward worldliness and power, a temptation that leads many to seek Jesus only to fulfill material desires. This is not just a concern for the distant past—it is a daily temptation for all of us who make up the Church. The pope’s reflections on this issue are grounded in the Gospel account of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (John 6:22-29), where the crowd seeks Jesus, not out of religious awe or devotion, but for their own material benefit. Pope Francis explains that, just like the people in the Gospel, many of us may be drawn to Jesus for the wrong reasons. We might be looking for solutions to our immediate problems, seeking His help in the hope of receiving material blessings or relief from our struggles. However, when we approach Jesus with such a mindset, we risk missing the deeper, transformative message of the Gospel. Seeking Jesus for Transformation, Not for Gain The pope warn...