By Friny Peter Ruwnglal, CSC –
Readings: 2Sam 7: 4-5, 12-14, 16; Rom 4: 13, 16-18, 22; Mt 1: 16, 18-21, 24
Dreams do come alive when they are personalized and actualized in words and actions. In everyone’s life, the key to turning one’s dreams and aspirations into reality requires deep listening and pondering on the Word of God.
St Joseph, whose feast we celebrate today was an ordinary man yet great in the sight of God. The Gospel reading tells us of Joseph’s encounter with the angel in the dream which led him to look at the situation with faith, hope, trust, obedience, and total surrender to God.
The first reading speaks of God communicating his message to David through Prophet Nathan as to who shall build God’s house to live in and establish God’s kingdom forever. Certainly, it was not David but his son Solomon. In my life too, there are certain tasks that I can do and cannot do but what is required of me is to listen to God’s word and accept it willingly.
The second reading talks of the necessity of living my faith. For me as a religious of Holy Cross Congregation I feel blessed and privileged, for Blessed Basil Moreau entrusts us to Saint Joseph (specifically Brothers of Holy Cross) and gives him as a model for living our vows.
The readings call me to live a life of righteous faith, to humility before God and people around me, to deepen my relationship with God by reading the word of God and putting them into practice in my daily life. It is also an invitation for us to accept everything gracefully, respect and uphold the dignity of every person with sensitivity and not distort the image of anyone before the society. Lastly, the life of Saint Joseph challenges us to face the uncertainties of life during confusing moments with faithfulness, obedience, and total surrender to God’s will.