Saint Joseph listened steadily to God’s voice and knew when to take action. He is a model for living Step 11 and Step 12 in recovery, striving daily to be in contact with God and serving Him and others. As we see in today’s Gospel reading, even though Saint Joseph surely did not understand Mary’s immaculate conception and pregnancy at the time, he remained open to hearing the Lord and, once he heard Him, acted with trust.

“‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her’ … When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home” (Matthew 1:20-24).

We can consider another example of his willingness to listen to God and act accordingly. Although he and his wife Mary were poor, living on the paltry means of a carpenter, he still took his little family to the temple in Jerusalem for the required feast days to offer a pair of turtle doves and two young pigeons after Jesus was born. This would have been a long and treacherous journey that would have resulted in time lost working, which would have been no small cost to a poor man like Saint Joseph. Yet, this man of God still trusted in God to take care of him and his family with a spirit of humility. As we are all called to do in our recovery, he listened for the voice of God and, once heard it, acted promptly with faith and humility no matter the obstacles.

Reflection Questions

• What has Saint Joseph taught you from his example as a father, husband, worker, or obedient man of God?
• As you reflect on Saint Joseph, is there a particular intercession you want to ask him for related to your recovery or the recovery of another?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29
Second Reading: Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
Gospel: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2:41-51a

Reflection by Marcia G.