Deciphering the Divine Language: The Path to Intimacy with God (SERMON/HOMILY ON THE SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY 19TH MARCH 2024

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SERMON/HOMILY ON THE SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY 19TH MARCH 2024

2Sam.7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Ps.89; Rom.4:13, 16-18, 22; Matt.1:16, 18-21, 24a

Deciphering the Divine Language: The Path to Intimacy with God

The Lenten season beckons us to draw nearer to God, fostering a profound understanding that comes with close relationships. This understanding extends beyond words to the silent language of gestures and presence. Saint Joseph, the spouse of the Virgin Mary, exemplifies this intimate connection, serving as a beacon for our spiritual journey during Lent.

In the Gospel narrative, Joseph is portrayed as a man of justice, mirroring the righteousness of God. It is through this virtue that Joseph cultivates a deep bond with the Almighty, a bond that sustains him in his role as the earthly guardian of Jesus Christ. Confronted with a divine message in a dream, Joseph is instructed not to dismiss Mary but to embrace her and the child conceived by the Holy Spirit. This directive defies conventional wisdom, yet Joseph complies, acting on a command he discerns as divine.

The crux of the matter is not the dream itself but the closeness to God that enables Joseph to recognize His will. Whether through dreams or other channels, Joseph's familiarity with God's voice guides his obedience.

Our own spiritual aspirations often include a longing to hear from God, to understand His will. Yet, this requires a relationship with God characterized by such closeness that His voice is unmistakable, regardless of the medium. God is ever-ready to forge a personal bond with each of us, but it is incumbent upon us to be receptive to His presence. Communication is futile without comprehension. Therefore, let us strive to deepen our relationship with God by nurturing virtues and renouncing vices, thereby attuning ourselves to the divine language and responding to His personal call to each of us.

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