Dear Friend,

Reflection by Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D.

St. Joseph, you awoke during the night to hear the voice of an angel giving you a message from God. You wasted no time to give your assent in action; yes, your first steps signal your embrace of God’s vocation for you, to be part of the divine plan of salvation.

In months to come, how many times will you be awoken during the night by the voice of your infant Son, the Son of God, perhaps by his loud cry or even soft whimper.  So lovingly attuned to God, you’ll wake up to the faintest sound and you’ll hurry to Jesus’ crib. You’ll want to comfort and protect the Son of God.

Dear St. Joseph, please pray for us that we might hear the voice of God and respond immediately, even during the night, or at inconvenient times. Please pray that we might recognize the ways God seeks to wake us up to His voice, and that we might follow where His word may lead. May we, too, seek ways to draw near and protect the Body of Christ.

After hearing the Divine message, St. Joseph, you moved quickly and silently to search for Mary and the divine baby in her womb. With tremendous reverence you approach Mary, and you bow before our Lord—the Body of Christ--within her. Joseph, Son of David, did you, like David, now dance before the ark of the covenant? (2 Samuel 6:14).

Dear St. Joseph, please pray for us, that we learn from your example how to come before the tabernacle of the Lord with joyful reverence.

Prayer:

Loving Lord, help us to imitate St. Joseph that we, too, may hear Your voice, and walk with You in faith and love. You are the “living bread come down from heaven” (Jn. 6:51); may we appreciate and reverence the gift of Your hidden life in the tabernacle, as Joseph reverenced Your hidden life in Mary. Amen.

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Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D., Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Administration and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, earned a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, an M.A. in Catholic Theology and Pastoral Ministry from The Institute of Advanced Studies of Catholic Doctrine, St. John's University, and an S.T.L. and an S.T.D. from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (The Angelicum), Rome. Dr. Traflet is a key leader in the Center for Diaconal Formation, and she gives numerous lectures, retreats, and days of recollection, including some specific to wives of deacons and deacon candidates. She is the author of Edith Stein: A Spiritual Portrait (Pauline Media, 2008).