Step #1: Lectio / ReadClick the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text. Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateUse the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again). "Hail St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, blessed above all saints on high..." About three years ago, I studied abroad through my college in a small town in the mountains of Austria. One of my professors was a headstrong man from Scotland who had such a heart for St. Joseph. On the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, he walked into our classroom and sang us an old song about Joseph in his thick Scottish accent, and it has stuck with me these past three years. Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Family, and what a glorious feast it is. I always joke that one of the main reasons the Church celebrates so many feast days is merely because we Catholics love to party, and we sure know how to do it. But all joking aside, I want to take a few minutes today to reflect on St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Himself. In today's Gospel, an angel appears to Joseph in a dream telling him to go and take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt, for a man named Herod is seeking to kill his son. Immediately Joseph rises from his dream and does what was requested of him. Years later, the angel again appears to him in a dream and tells him to take the child and mother back to Israel, and once again, Joseph responds in obedient, trusting, faith and does what is requested of him. Personally, I don't think I give St. Joseph enough credit, but look at him in today's readings. So much was asked and expected of him, but how did he choose to respond under the pressure? He obeyed. He had faith. He may not have known the entirety of God's plan, but he knew that if he trusted in it and did what God was asking him to do, then everything would work out for his little Holy Family. Mary, the Blessed Mother, was chosen among all woman to bear and be the Mother of Jesus the Son of God. Have you ever stopped to reflect on the fact that Joseph, too, must have been chosen? To be the guardian of God Himself on earth... now that seems like a colossal task to me! But Joseph fulfilled his fatherly duties. He cared for Mary and for Jesus and helped carry out God's plan for humanity. He was CHOSEN. When we look at our own families, it's so easy for us to focus on all the negative things. My sister and I can't stop comparing ourselves to each other, my dad always seems to let me down, the list goes on. Our families are certainly not perfect. And we certainly did not get to choose our families like the Holy Family was chosen. But just like the Holy Family, God specifically chose each member of our family to fulfill His will in a unique way. On this beautiful feast, I want to give you a message of hope. Turn to St. Joseph. Think of how imperfect and unworthy he must have felt to be a part of that family. Whenever you may feel that your own family life is falling apart, ask for St. Joseph's guidance. Turn to him like a father, and let him show you how you can say yes to God's will. Know that you never alone, and that the Holy Family is always walking right beside you on your journey through life. I encourage you to reflect on these words from my dear Scottish professor's song as we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family today: Dear St. Joseph, kind and loving, Stretch to us a helping hand; Guide us through life's toils and sorrows Safely to the distant land. Step #3: Oratio / PrayThese questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today. How do you choose to respond when God asks big things of you? Do you obey and trust in His plan or do you resist and give into despair? How can you help to fulfill God's will in your own family? How can you become more like St. Joseph in his faith and obedience to the Lord and in his love for the Holy Family? Step #4: Contemplatio / ContemplateIn this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord. "Hail St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, blessed above all saints on high..." "Guide us through life's toils and sorrows safely to the distant land." "St. Joseph, pray for us." Step #5: Actio / ActIn light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with Lord bear fruit in you today? Take some time to pray to St. Joseph today. Maybe go back and meditate on the Gospel again, or pray with the words of the song at the end of the meditation. Ask St. Joseph to give you the strength and courage to follow God's will, especially in your own family. Smartphone Lock ScreenThe following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.  Today's prayer was prepared by Sarah Freddino, a FOCUS Missionary at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL.
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