Day 19: November 24th
JOSEPH MOST OBEDIENT
Being one of the three Evangelical Counsels, the vows taken by religious and foundation of Spiritual Virtue, obedience is often given short shrift. I think that one of the reasons for this is that it can appear to stand in direct contrast to many of our American values: Independence, Self-sufficiency, Self-determination, Standing up to authority, Fighting for your rights, Rebelling against authority, etc..
While there are some very good and worthy qualities within these characteristics, they also come from a misunderstanding of what obedience is and what it offers to us.
Obedience originates in the Latin meaning "To listen to." It is not primarily about subjugation, submitting to authority, or allowing yourself to be exploited. There is a proper sense of obedience: To whom are we obedient? To whom are you listening?
In reality, we are always listening to someone and following someone's lead. Even if we are independent and entirely self-reliant, we end up listening to ourself as the final authority and become obedient to our own thoughts, desires or impulses.
Virtuous obedience pulls us toward others. It calls us to listen to them, to express love and deference and ultimately, Obedience finds fulfillment in Divine Obedience to God. It leads us to meekness, loving the good of another over our own; humility, understanding our dependence and need for others; self-sacrifice; greater wisdom and knowledge. Divine Obedience is truly freeing in replacing our own yoke that we carry or the yoke of another person, with the Yoke of Christ which he has promised to all who love and follow him. To be obedient defers our faith for the wisdom, knowledge and capabilities of another. It is full of even more grace in times of injustice as the gift of obedience becomes a gift of self-sacrifice in love.
Our Prayer to St. Joseph today is a prayer to know one's vocation. If you feel confident that you have already found and are living your Vocation, I encourage you to consider two things in this prayer. First, there is always a vocation within your Vocation (God is always more detailed in His call and plan for us). Second, offer this prayer for a specific individual who needs help in discovering their Vocation.
While there are some very good and worthy qualities within these characteristics, they also come from a misunderstanding of what obedience is and what it offers to us.
Obedience originates in the Latin meaning "To listen to." It is not primarily about subjugation, submitting to authority, or allowing yourself to be exploited. There is a proper sense of obedience: To whom are we obedient? To whom are you listening?
In reality, we are always listening to someone and following someone's lead. Even if we are independent and entirely self-reliant, we end up listening to ourself as the final authority and become obedient to our own thoughts, desires or impulses.
Virtuous obedience pulls us toward others. It calls us to listen to them, to express love and deference and ultimately, Obedience finds fulfillment in Divine Obedience to God. It leads us to meekness, loving the good of another over our own; humility, understanding our dependence and need for others; self-sacrifice; greater wisdom and knowledge. Divine Obedience is truly freeing in replacing our own yoke that we carry or the yoke of another person, with the Yoke of Christ which he has promised to all who love and follow him. To be obedient defers our faith for the wisdom, knowledge and capabilities of another. It is full of even more grace in times of injustice as the gift of obedience becomes a gift of self-sacrifice in love.
Our Prayer to St. Joseph today is a prayer to know one's vocation. If you feel confident that you have already found and are living your Vocation, I encourage you to consider two things in this prayer. First, there is always a vocation within your Vocation (God is always more detailed in His call and plan for us). Second, offer this prayer for a specific individual who needs help in discovering their Vocation.
LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ graciously hear us. Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world . . .
God the Holy Spirit . . .
Holy Trinity, One God . . .
Holy Mary. Pray for us.
St. Joseph . . .
Renowned offspring of David . . .
Light of Patriarchs . . .
Spouse of the Mother of God . . .
Chaste guardian of the Virgin . . .
Foster father of the Son of God . . .
Diligent protector of Christ . . .
Head of the Holy Family . . .
Joseph most just . . .
Joseph most chaste . . .
Joseph most prudent . . .
Joseph most strong . . .
Joseph most obedient . . .
Joseph most faithful . . .
Mirror of patience . . .
Lover of poverty . . .
Model of artisans . . .
Glory of home life . . .
Guardian of virgins . . .
Pillar of families . . .
Solace of the afflicted . . .
Hope of the sick . . .
Patron of the dying . . .
Terror of demons . . .
Protector of Holy Church . . .
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
℣. He made him the lord of his household.
℟. And prince over all his possessions.
Let us pray: O God, Who in Your ineffable providence deigned to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Your most holy Mother; grant, we beg You, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom we venerate on earth as our Protector; You who live and reign forever, unto the ages of ages.
--AMEN
PRAYER TO KNOW ONE'S VOCATION O Great St. Joseph, so docile to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, obtain for me the grace to know what state of life Divine Providence destines for me. Do not allow me to be deceived with regard to so important a choice, upon which depends my happiness in this world, and even my eternal salvation. Obtain for me that, being enlightened to know the Divine Will and being faithful in accomplishing it, I may embrace that state of life which God has destined for me and which will lead me to a happy eternity.
--AMEN
ACT OF CONSECRATION
O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example, may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death.
--AMEN
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ graciously hear us. Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world . . .
God the Holy Spirit . . .
Holy Trinity, One God . . .
Holy Mary. Pray for us.
St. Joseph . . .
Renowned offspring of David . . .
Light of Patriarchs . . .
Spouse of the Mother of God . . .
Chaste guardian of the Virgin . . .
Foster father of the Son of God . . .
Diligent protector of Christ . . .
Head of the Holy Family . . .
Joseph most just . . .
Joseph most chaste . . .
Joseph most prudent . . .
Joseph most strong . . .
Joseph most obedient . . .
Joseph most faithful . . .
Mirror of patience . . .
Lover of poverty . . .
Model of artisans . . .
Glory of home life . . .
Guardian of virgins . . .
Pillar of families . . .
Solace of the afflicted . . .
Hope of the sick . . .
Patron of the dying . . .
Terror of demons . . .
Protector of Holy Church . . .
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
℣. He made him the lord of his household.
℟. And prince over all his possessions.
Let us pray: O God, Who in Your ineffable providence deigned to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Your most holy Mother; grant, we beg You, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom we venerate on earth as our Protector; You who live and reign forever, unto the ages of ages.
--AMEN
PRAYER TO KNOW ONE'S VOCATION O Great St. Joseph, so docile to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, obtain for me the grace to know what state of life Divine Providence destines for me. Do not allow me to be deceived with regard to so important a choice, upon which depends my happiness in this world, and even my eternal salvation. Obtain for me that, being enlightened to know the Divine Will and being faithful in accomplishing it, I may embrace that state of life which God has destined for me and which will lead me to a happy eternity.
--AMEN
ACT OF CONSECRATION
O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example, may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death.
--AMEN