Day 24: November 29th
MIRROR OF HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE
St. Joseph, Mirror of Humility and Obedience. When we think of the virtues it is often very good to think about them in pairs, helping one another and helping us grow and deepen our virtues. Up to this point in our Consecration, we've looked to St. Joseph under singular titles, and this is good, it highlights that he is the exemplar of Meekness, the most Just, and Spouse of God. This way of addressing Joseph draws us more intimately to the different sides and facets of this most blessed Saint's Life. At the same time, it is good to be reminded that these titles don't live in isolation and all of these traits, characteristics and identities are combined within this man. It also helps us to see the particular relationship between humbleness and obedience as they help one another in drawing us closer in perfection.
We have previously talked in depth about obedience, originating from the notion of listening to another, rather than being a description of power and authority. Humility is recognizing our insufficiency and need for the assistance of another. Understanding both aspects of humility is important, as recognizing our weaknesses and faults, or lack of perfection, isn't simply a matter of degrading ourselves, but literally drives us to reach out to others and that action of love which recognizes the value and goodness in others—to depend on them means that they have something good to offer us. This is true for other people, as it is true for our relationship with God.
In working together, if we are struggling with either obedience or humility, the other can help us grow in the weaker virtue. If you struggle with obedience, often times it's because we believe we know more than the other person. We can then humble ourselves and rely on their knowledge, expertise, wisdom, or experience to aid us in being obedient. Conversely, if you struggle with humility, then by acting obediently, you directly open yourself up to depending on another and this often helps us to see a new area of our weakness, or to realize the benefits that someone has to offer.
Lastly, in the prayer for today, I have chosen a selection that is a Plea of St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) to come to know St. Joseph personally and the strength of humbly beseeching him for any of our petitions. In this plea, St. Teresa affirms also that if at any time her request was amiss, that is, that she was not asking for the right thing, that St. Joseph did not fail to provide what was truly needed and worthwhile for asking—calling forth humility in recognizing that we don't always know what we need, and obediently recognizing that what God provides through this beloved Saint is what is needed.
We have previously talked in depth about obedience, originating from the notion of listening to another, rather than being a description of power and authority. Humility is recognizing our insufficiency and need for the assistance of another. Understanding both aspects of humility is important, as recognizing our weaknesses and faults, or lack of perfection, isn't simply a matter of degrading ourselves, but literally drives us to reach out to others and that action of love which recognizes the value and goodness in others—to depend on them means that they have something good to offer us. This is true for other people, as it is true for our relationship with God.
In working together, if we are struggling with either obedience or humility, the other can help us grow in the weaker virtue. If you struggle with obedience, often times it's because we believe we know more than the other person. We can then humble ourselves and rely on their knowledge, expertise, wisdom, or experience to aid us in being obedient. Conversely, if you struggle with humility, then by acting obediently, you directly open yourself up to depending on another and this often helps us to see a new area of our weakness, or to realize the benefits that someone has to offer.
Lastly, in the prayer for today, I have chosen a selection that is a Plea of St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) to come to know St. Joseph personally and the strength of humbly beseeching him for any of our petitions. In this plea, St. Teresa affirms also that if at any time her request was amiss, that is, that she was not asking for the right thing, that St. Joseph did not fail to provide what was truly needed and worthwhile for asking—calling forth humility in recognizing that we don't always know what we need, and obediently recognizing that what God provides through this beloved Saint is what is needed.
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
PLEA OF ST. TERESA OF JESUS (AVILA)
Would that I could persuade all men to be devoted to this glorious Saint, for I know by long experience what blessings he can obtain for us from God. I have never known anyone who was truly devoted to him and honored him by particular services who did not advance greatly in virtue: for he helps n a special way those souls who commend themselves to him. It is now very many years since I began asking him for something on his feast, and I have always received it. If the petition was in any way amiss, he rectified it for my greater good . . . I ask for the love of God that he who does not believe me will make the trial for himself --then he will find out by experience the great good that results from commending oneself to this glorious Patriarch and in being devoted to him.” (Autobiography, VI. 11-12)
--AMEN
ACT OF CONSECRATION (ST. BERNARDINE OF SIENA)
O my beloved St. Joseph, adopt me as thy child. Take charge of my salvation; watch over me day and night; preserve me from the occasions of sin; obtain for me purity of body. Through thy intercession with Jesus, grant me a spirit of sacrifice, humility, self-denial, burning love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and a sweet and tender love for Mary, my mother, Saint Joseph, be with my living, be with me dying, and obtain for me a favorable judgment from Jesus, my merciful savior.
--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
PLEA OF ST. TERESA OF JESUS (AVILA)
Would that I could persuade all men to be devoted to this glorious Saint, for I know by long experience what blessings he can obtain for us from God. I have never known anyone who was truly devoted to him and honored him by particular services who did not advance greatly in virtue: for he helps n a special way those souls who commend themselves to him. It is now very many years since I began asking him for something on his feast, and I have always received it. If the petition was in any way amiss, he rectified it for my greater good . . . I ask for the love of God that he who does not believe me will make the trial for himself --then he will find out by experience the great good that results from commending oneself to this glorious Patriarch and in being devoted to him.” (Autobiography, VI. 11-12)
--AMEN
ACT OF CONSECRATION (ST. BERNARDINE OF SIENA)
O my beloved St. Joseph, adopt me as thy child. Take charge of my salvation; watch over me day and night; preserve me from the occasions of sin; obtain for me purity of body. Through thy intercession with Jesus, grant me a spirit of sacrifice, humility, self-denial, burning love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and a sweet and tender love for Mary, my mother, Saint Joseph, be with my living, be with me dying, and obtain for me a favorable judgment from Jesus, my merciful savior.
--AMEN