Dec. 18, 2013 Wednesday: 3rd Week of Advent A
When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel had commanded him…
Good Saint Joseph,
Matthew gives so few details
of what you went through
as your life was turned upside down.
Your ancestor Joseph
had years to think through
and come to terms
with the event that changed
his life forever.
How long had he seethed with
anger against his brothers?
Had he truly forgiven them
before the trick
he played on them in return?
You too had the help of your dreams,
But even with them, you didn’t have years
but days—at most a few weeks—
to adjust and move on.
Saint Joseph, I fear that, like many people,
I am not that good at adjusting and moving on,
Little changes annoy me,
And unexpected life-altering ones
can leave me resisting and wailing “why?”
Did you ever get frustrated?
Did you ever look at Mary
on the road to Egypt and just blurt out:
“You know, I never asked for this…”?
I would have.
Saint Joseph, help me to deal with
life openly and honestly.
When my world turns upside down,
help me to grieve what is lost,
to be open to new blessings in whatever comes,
and to be gentle to those around me.
And through it all,
help me to feel God’s
presence, and the strength
only God can bring.
www.livingwithchrist.us
Good Saint Joseph,
Matthew gives so few details
of what you went through
as your life was turned upside down.
Your ancestor Joseph
had years to think through
and come to terms
with the event that changed
his life forever.
How long had he seethed with
anger against his brothers?
Had he truly forgiven them
before the trick
he played on them in return?
You too had the help of your dreams,
But even with them, you didn’t have years
but days—at most a few weeks—
to adjust and move on.
Saint Joseph, I fear that, like many people,
I am not that good at adjusting and moving on,
Little changes annoy me,
And unexpected life-altering ones
can leave me resisting and wailing “why?”
Did you ever get frustrated?
Did you ever look at Mary
on the road to Egypt and just blurt out:
“You know, I never asked for this…”?
I would have.
Saint Joseph, help me to deal with
life openly and honestly.
When my world turns upside down,
help me to grieve what is lost,
to be open to new blessings in whatever comes,
and to be gentle to those around me.
And through it all,
help me to feel God’s
presence, and the strength
only God can bring.
www.livingwithchrist.us
