Greetings Prayer Warriors,
In my mind, I am all-in in following the Lord! Yet, I often wonder and perhaps you do too, if my resolve would crumble if I was really challenged?
I seek inspiration from the stories of Mary and Joseph. Looking at them as individuals and as spouses, they are models for both a virtuous life and a good, holy, and happy marriage.
In life, we are often unsure of what the Lord is calling us to, as was the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Luke 1:28-29
But docile to the Holy Spirit, Mary humbly accepted the invitation to bear the Messiah, even knowing that people would whisper about her pregnancy in a culture that could shun her and much worse. Yet, she remained patient, and charitable, looking inward to the Lord for strength.
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38
Likewise, Joseph, troubled and knowing he wasn’t the father of Mary’s child, also accepted the will of God.
Joseph, her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.
Matthew 1:19-20
The Lord always gives confirmation and the tools to fulfill His will. Docility, humility, righteousness, endurance, perseverance, gentleness, temperance, patience, kindness, charity, are just some of the fruits of the Spirit Mary and Joseph were blessed with. By all appearances, they were also given the gifts of faith, wisdom, knowledge, and counsel.
Pondering their life, what have we to fear in surrendering to God’s Holy Will?
Spend this last week of Advent in prayer, and ask for something special to happen in your marriage, or another’s marriage that you keep in prayer. Ask for an outpouring of spiritual gifts to help strengthen marriages and to fortify them against all that seeks to divide them. Seek also the fortitude to walk in the path of Mary and Joseph, seeking to fulfill the will of God, and to draw the Savior ever closer.
St. Michael, be our protector and defend us in battle! Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for us!
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
Prayer builds fortresses against evil. Pass it on!
