Dear Friend,

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

St. Joseph, before you and Mary held the baby in your arms and gazed into the face of the Son of God, you beheld him in faith.  You, a just man, knew how to focus on God even when you were blinded by darkness. Now the Light of the World is housed in the darkness of Mary’s womb, and the eye of your heart lovingly beholds Him.

Dear St. Joseph, please pray for us, that we might cultivate the eye of our hearts so that we might in faith and love behold our Eucharistic Lord. May we see Jesus even when we find ourselves in dark times.

St. Joseph, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  (Jn. 1:1) You, a man of silence, were called to accompany the Word. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (Jn. 1:14) The Word dwelt with you and Mary, and you both will teach Him how to talk, read, and write. You both will pray and meditate on Scripture with Him. You will hear the Word call you “Father.”   

Dear St. Joseph, please pray for us, that we might cultivate the gift of silence, so that the Word of God may resound in our lives.

As you and Mary began the trek to Bethlehem you provided as best you could for food and shelter for your wife and your Son.  You nourished them. Someday, you will sit at your table and break bread with the Bread of Life.

Dear St. Joseph, thank you for having nourished the One who nourishes us in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

At the birth of your Son, you held His tiny hands. One day, when he’s older, you’ll take him by the hand, and introduce him to extended family, neighbors, those who enter your carpenters’ shop, and others in the town or nearby towns who need the work of a carpenter. With what humble pride you walk with the Son of God.

Dear St. Joseph, please pray for us that we, too, might hold Jesus’ hand, as we seek to introduce others to Him. May our actions bring others to Him.

Prayer:

Loving Lord, in the example of St. Joseph, we invite You to dwell with us, walk with us, and speak with us. We want to listen to You, the Living Word, and be nourished by You, the Bread of Life. May we be inspired by Your Real Presence among us. Please be with us, and nourish us, especially as we draw closer to the celebration of Your holy birth. 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).