By Fr. John Burns
Think of the steps of St. Joseph’s greatness. He began by the pure love of a spotless virgin. Gradually, as the mystery unfolded itself, the earthly love turned to enraptured veneration, and Mary became to him a trust from the God of his fathers, a divine treasure to be guarded from every shadow of ill.
James J. McGovern, The Manual of the Holy Catholic Church
To See with Eyes of Faith
As we observed in the introduction, Wednesdays are traditionally devoted to St. Joseph, and we invite him in a special way into our movement toward the manger throughout Advent.
St. Joseph learned in a privileged way what it means to live in the presence of God and to be moved by the beauty of God’s grace. He was granted the singular gift of marriage to the greatest jewel of all of creation, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In the chaste love that captivated his heart and drew him daily more deeply toward perfect love, he beheld in delighted awe the splendor of a creature unmarred by sin. We can only speculate what it must have been like to see her, to watch her move and live and be. Her presence must have provoked in everyone who knew her a memory of God’s original design for humanity and, in the same moment, the whisper of an awareness of our future destiny.
With Mary, God’s long-awaited plan was finally set in motion. In faith, Joseph looked upon her in wonder. As a craftsman, Joseph must have had an eye for aesthetics, for beauty, form, harmony, and balance. With eyes of faith, he must have learned of the brilliant perfection of the Father’s plan as he beheld Mary, the ark and tabernacle divinely fashioned as a dwelling place for God.
Joseph’s eyes rightfully looked upon Mary in exclusive love, yet as a man who held the lily of her heart for God in a love both generous and pure. In this way, Joseph’s nearness to Mary sculpted his heart for excellence in covenant love. We ask his intercession in a special way through Advent for growth in the same excellence: for eyes of faith and a love that is chaste, generous, and strong.
Reflect
Joseph’s love for the Blessed Virgin Mary reveals how human love—between spouses and within a family—can reflect and participate in divine love. What are some ways you can live out Joseph’s example of self-giving, God-oriented love in your own relationships?
Pray
St. Joseph, pray for me, so that I may look on those I love with eyes of faith. May my love for them reflect God’s generous and pure love.
This excerpt from Adore is reprinted with permission of Ave Maria Press.
Fr. John Burns is a Catholic speaker and a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He is the author of the bestselling Lift Up Your Heart and Adore: A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation.
