TRUE HAPPINESS can be achieved by emulating St. Joseph’s obedience to God, a virtue that played a vital role in fulfilling the plan of salvation, a priest said.
Msgr. Rolando dela Cruz, the rector of the Manila Cathedral, said many problems in society stem from people’s tendency to do what they want even if they disobey God’s plan.
“Many of our personal problems are the result of our stubbornness. We want to follow what we want, and we don’t want to follow what God wants,” he said in his homily during the mass for the solemnity of St. Joseph at the Manila Cathedral on Thursday, March 19.
The priest cited the story of Joseph’s wife Mary, who was visited by the angel Gabriel and presented with God’s plan, which she initially questioned before ultimately accepting God’s will.
Dela Cruz then turned to the story of Joseph, who first intended to divorce Mary, but eventually obeyed God after the angel explained the divine plan to him in a dream.
“St. Joseph did not utter a single word in the Gospel. But even if he did not say a word, he acted on God’s plan,” dela Cruz said, emphasizing how he became an example of trust and obedience to God alongside Mary.
Joseph taught happiness through his role as a faithful servant of God, the priest added.
Dela Cruz urged the faithful to emulate St. Joseph and Mary’s example of being obedient to God’s will to attain a peaceful life and a joyful heart.
“God will never allow anything to bring us sadness… God wants us to be happy and He shows us the way of obedience,” he added.
Joseph is the patron saint of fathers, husbands and workers and is regarded as the protector of the universal Church. His solemnity is celebrated every March 19, although he is also honored by the Church as a worker every May 1. F – Francia Migyel Violeta
