Fr Peter’s Message on Faith
The word “faith” can mean various things. It can mean the content of belief but also has the more fundamental meaning of “trust” as when a person has faith in another individual or in God.
This week (Wednesday) we celebrate the feast of one of the people of great faith – namely St Joseph, husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus.
Joseph a young man cared for Mary and Jesus. He supported and protected them. He was a man of faith, trusting in what the angel told him and trusted what the angel asked him to do. “Take Mary home as your wife.” Great demands were made of Joseph, - the flight into Egypt, raising Mary’s child. Because of his trust great things were done. Joseph kept a loving eye on Mary. He showed her great love. He creates a home for them to live in and a place for Jesus to grow in “wisdom and faith.”
One can wonder what Joseph thought of his life. He could certainly see the hand of God leading him, comforting him, being with him in all he was called to do.
When we reflect on our own lives, do we realise that God is working out God’s purpose through us. Salvation history continues in the life of the world because of each one of us. St Joseph made a difference to the world because he cared for Mary and Jesus. It is good for us to realise too that the world is actually different because we are here. Like St Joseph we can only trust God that everything is unfolding as it should.