Page 160 - Reflections on St. Joseph

 He loves me and wants me to love Him as well; He treasures me, respects me, trusts
me and ask something great of me: to be His friend and His Prophet. I am important
to Him.
 “..he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish
before him. In love...” (Eph. 1:4)
 “Jesus, looking at him, loved him” (Mk. 10:21): this is a spousal and jealous love, which
is not shared with others and with other things. To be with Him and to share his life,
his choices and his loves.
 “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you …” (Jn. 15:16).
 The Consecrated Life: “Is a priceless gift of God who chooses, calls and sends” (General
Directory 52)
 He has chosen me from among His people for the good of His people. (Hebrews 5:1-4)
 He has consecrated me, that is he has "set me apart" for his exclusive "use".
 Our imperfection must not discourage us, they must not be used as an excuse to deny
His Call. We need to destroy that which denies God or is contrary to the Gospel within
us in order to be worthy of His Call.
 “I am with you” (Jer. 1:8): the “call” is guided, protected by God.
 Do not be afraid for “ behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age “ (Mt. 28:20).
This is our assurance.
 In the important moments of the history of humanity, Christ calls the right people
who are able to give an answer to the signs of the times. You are someone who is
"needed" for the present times.
 Consider:
 God loves you and respects you. In which moments in your life have you
experienced this?
 When, where and how have you felt His gaze fixed upon you, have you felt
His Call?
 What has been the role of the Congregation in helping you to "understand
and discern" His Call?

2) To be with Him
 “ Christ lives in me”(Gal. 2:20)
 “For to me life is Christ” (Phil. 1:21)
 “I no longer call you slaves" (but) "friends” (Jn. 15:16)
 “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt. 5:48)
 “Do not conform yourselves to this age” (Rom. 12:2)
 “Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5)
 We are called to Holiness: see Mt 5:48 / Lk. 19:2 / Lk. 11:44-45 / I Pt. 1:15-16 / Jm. 1:4.
 The Congregation has as "Its purpose... to promote the glory of God by the sanctification
of its members” (Const. 2).
 “The Oblates of St. Joseph are called to reproduce in their lives...the Christian mystery
…” (Const. 3). Chosen to reproduce, by means of the Evangelical Counsels, the
characteristic traits of Jesus: virgin, poor and obedient.
 We are Oblates, the exclusive and permanent property of God. Everyday we must offer
to God a heart which is not "second hand", used or dirty...He is the only love, the only
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treasure, the only thing to which I aspire. I belong only to him.
Reflections on st. joseph