By their fruits you shall know them – Matt 7:16
March 19th was the feast day of St. Joseph, the patron saint of the Oblate Brothers and also of Canada and so it is only appropriate to talk about him and what he means to me in my daily life as a missionary brother Oblate of Mary Immaculate.
Through tradition and scripture, we know that Joseph was a worker, a citizen, a noble father and a witness to the unknown. That witness to the unknown, that profound faith demanded by God, required him to act – to do something. He took a pregnant woman as his spouse and selflessly offered Mary and her child his care and protection. The father of Jesus is an example of faith and action which is more needed than ever in today’s world. We live in a time when so much is ego centered. It’s all about me and my wants. This attitude is pervasive in society and has even infiltrated religious life and the church. It can be very damaging and paralyzing to spiritual growth. The life of Saint Joseph, more than ever, is saying to us today that it’s not so much what I want but rather it’s the will of the Father that matters. This will requires us to do something, even when it’s uncomfortable or difficult
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” (Matthew 1, 24).
As an Oblate brother, under the patronage of Saint Joseph, my life has meaning. I am happy because of my firm trust, my belief, in the same God in whom Joseph trusted, who will reveal his will in the signs of the times in my daily life.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16 v.3)
I believe that the challenges life throws at us, must be taken as opportunities rather than burdens. With the right attitude, even the setbacks we encounter offer us the chance to move forward and to grow in faithfulness, hope and wisdom. My religious life has enabled me to rejoice in the beauty and goodness of this world and its cultures, but at the same time it has given me the opportunity to fight against evil doers who work towards its destruction.
Inspired by Saint Joseph, when I reflect about the meaning of my religious vows, I see them not so much a law or a burden, but rather a daily invitation to be before the Lord and respond to the challenges of the mysteries we have embraced. Sometimes, I feel a bit weird and out of step because at the age of 75, I still want to work to change the bad and the ugly in the world today. I am confronted by so many brothers, friends and Oblates saying things like “Don’t bother. It’s not worth the trouble. What difference can we make”. I believe that the example provided by this attitude of defeatism will seriously handicap any future vocations. As Paul VI[i] said,
“If you want peace, work for justice.”
If we want future Oblates to promote the mission and the wisdom of the congregation with determination and optimism, we must do justice internally first. If this is not done, then we are simply recruiting people to do more of the same. This year is devoted to the promotion of Oblate vocations. We have to ask ourselves what it is that we are promoting. Do we want Oblates who will maintain the status quo or Oblates filled with passion and the vocation to meet seriously the challenges of the gospel today?
We are called to be men of integrity, responding to God’s will with honesty, energy and determination. This calls us to courageous examination and prayerful discernment both of ourselves and also of our congregation and its members. We need to be regularly challenged about our attitudes and our actions and encouraged to evaluate our progress in our spiritual journeys. Our Provincial, Fr. Ken, offers us such a challenge in his Oblate brother feast day letter. He says, “May you inspire each of us, your brother Oblates and Associates, with an example of devotion, joy, generosity and zeal.” Let the example of Saint Joseph be the fruit by which others will know us. Let us dare to be men of joy, wisdom, energy and action and so to love effectively.
[i] He together with our beloved Oscar Romero will be canonized on 21st October, 2018.
By Leonardo Rego, OMI
