THURSDAY, SECOND WEEK OF EASTER
Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker
Acts 5: 27-33 Ps 34: 2,9,17-20 Jn 3: 31-36 / Mt 13: 54-58
OBEDIENCE TO GOD
We are in the Easter season, and we continue to hear the Good News proclaimed by the apostles about the new life of the resurrection. Today, as we exalt St. Joseph as the patron of all labourers, we are exhorted to obey God rather than man.
After Pentecost, the apostles began to preach, teach, and perform mighty works in the name of the Risen Lord. Many who heard them accepted the new teaching and believed in the Lord. As the number of believers grew, the apostles faced numerous challenges and persecutions. They were even imprisoned by the high priest and his associates. However, an angel of the Lord released them during the night. They went to the temple court and continued to proclaim the gospel. When the authorities objected to their public teaching, Peter and the others responded, “We must obey God rather than men.” The apostles obeyed God fearlessly, preaching that God had raised Jesus from the dead. They declared that those who obey Him will be anointed with the Holy Spirit. Neither persecution, threats, nor suffering could deter the apostles from this heroic obedience.
John the Baptist also obeyed the Lord. He courageously preached the truth about Jesus against all opposition. John distinguished between the one who comes from above who is above all, and the one who comes from the earth who speaks as one from the earth. The one who is from above obeys God alone. God the Father loves the Son because the Son obeys the Father perfectly. Those who believe in the Son obey the Father and have eternal life, but those who disobey or reject the Son will not have life.
St. Joseph is a model of prompt obedience. He obeyed God by becoming the spouse of Mary and the foster father of Jesus. His work was an expression of his obedience to his divine calling. Let our work, too, be an expression of our obedience to God.
Response: The lowly one called, and the Lord heard him.
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