“Prayer is the only channel through which God’s great graces and favors may flow into the soul; and if this be once closed, I know no other way He can communicate them.”
St. Teresa of Jesus

The switch is moving forward and I am now unpacking the boxes that only a few days ago I was packing. I walked around the rectory and church of St. Lucy one last time on July the 1st making sure I hadn’t left anything behind, (I am sure I have) handing over my keys and garage door opener and driving away to my new home at St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish. What has seemed like a long two months of preparing to move seems to have come so quickly to a conclusion and passes by in a small short breath.
In this year of St. Joseph, I, in the hubbub of the day, often think of the home in Nazareth and how full of prayer it was, how full of peace, how full of joy and how full of love. This is where the call to prayer becomes so vital and transforming as our lives are disrupted and tossed about in the whirlwind of the moment life becomes if it is not grounded in faith and trust in a loving God.
In Archbishop M. de Langalerie book, “The Month of St. Joseph” he reminds us, “It is important to frequently recall to our minds that prayer is essential to the practice of all the virtues, to the avoidance of sin, and in general to the fulfillment of our duties.” ( p. 15) The blessing of prayer, especially in times of disruption, isn’t the avoidance of life but rather the ability and desire to enter into the wonder of life with all the pain and suffering, with all the celebrations and joys. What did Mary and Joseph talk about on the way to Bethlehem or as they fled to Egypt? Did they pray along the way? I have a friend who without fail, when he places the key in the ignition of his car, he then crosses himself and says “St. Christopher…pray for me.” And many of us have the experience of driving along and praying the Rosary as we head to our destination…it isn’t just about “killing time” but rather asking God to be with us on the journey. Now I know Mary and Joseph didn’t have the Rosary to pray but did they recite some psalms or other prayers learned in childhood.
“Prayer must be accompanied with confidence, humility, and fervor. Prayer is, in itself, an act of humility; for in soliciting favors from God, or when returning thanks for those already received, we find ourselves penetrated with a knowledge of our own unworthiness and misery, and our absolute dependence on God.” (p 15) These three small attitudes, confidence, humility and fervor (love) are part and parcel of our faith in God. If we see this through the eyes of St. Joseph we are able to recognize the pathway of blessings.

Knowing we are called by God into holiness should fill us with the confidence necessary to take up our cross, our vocation, our prayer with trust. Joseph, called by God as each one of us are called, took up his duty as husband, foster father and protector of the Holy Family. He could only do this with humility knowing for whom he was called to care for and protect. In doing this he offered his love, complete and without reservation to his wife and our Lord Jesus Christ. When we look at our life, do we move forward in these same actions. Our dependence on God leading us to these attitudes of blessings seeking to give, receive and share these gifts of life from God with gracious love and humility knowing in confidence we are beloved by God.
“We will find our models in this exercise in the humble cottage at Nazareth. It cannot be deemed rash to assert that Jesus, Mary and Joseph frequently practiced this holy exercise, nor can it be too much to consider Mary and Joseph as being the first to receive from the lips of Jesus that prayer which He Himself is the author.” (p 16) Did Mary and Joseph ask there son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, this life giving question: “Teach us to pray?” In their daily life they watched him enter into deep and peaceful times of conversation with our Heavenly Father. Did they ask, “How do we talk to the Father?”
Prayer is the fount and foundation of our lives. We cannot live without prayer. To seek guidance, to ask questions and to practice over and over again leads us into a more intimate relationship with God and his holy people. Pray and pray always.
“Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven.”
St. Ephraem of Syria
God Bless
Fr. Mark