Did you know that this is the Year of St. Joseph? The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pius IX declaring St. Joseph Patron and Protector of the Universal Church. And when you look back on the past year, it does seem fitting.
This year many of us feel that we are moving uncertainly from crisis to crisis – and isn’t that the experience of St. Joseph? The Gospels show St. Joseph leading his family through a miraculous and unexpected pregnancy, a mandated journey to Bethlehem in which his wife gives birth in a stable, a flight to Egypt to avoid a massacre, and finally a return from Egypt to their homeland of Nazareth. If you feel like your life in the past few months is marked by instability, St. Joseph is a saint who can relate.
Gary Zimak, a regular Morning Air® contributor, stopped by to discuss the generosity of St. Joseph, and the joy that comes from giving up worry and giving freely to the Lord.
When we think of St. Joseph we often think of his obedience to the Father and his provision for Mary and Jesus. But we don’t often think of the generosity and detachment that he modeled in his life. Zimak pointed out that St. Joseph models for us the joy that comes from answering the call of the Lord – no matter how difficult that call may seem.
He said, “I’ve learned this in my life, that when I give when I might be a little strapped financially myself there’s a joy that results from it. Because I know that I’m helping God by helping other people. It’s a great feeling, and it’s one that can be challenging sometimes. Especially when I’m facing my own financial difficulties. But yet, when I give what I can I can really make a difference in the world, and there’s a joy that results from that.”
Morning Air host John Harper shared his own story of finding joy in answering the Lord’s call to generosity, even before he began working for Relevant Radio®. He said, “I know I’ve had those moments, when you kind of get down to empty in the bank account. But also, Relevant Radio was a very strong element of my faith life at that point in time, keeping me focused when I was taking care of my mom. That was the first time I gave to Relevant Radio. And $75 dollars doesn’t seem like a lot, but it was to us. And you’re right, there was that joy in giving when I gave that $75. And by the way, I waited for that partnership challenge to get that doubled and make it go farther!”
But John Harper told listeners that it wasn’t just giving that gave him joy, it was a special grace he discovered through St. Joseph. He said, “You know what? The joy of giving came back, not only from Relevant Radio but from St. Joseph – and that was a greater feeling of trust. A greater spirit of trust knowing that things are tough, but knowing that things are going to work out if I put everything in the lap of the Lord.”
If you think of St. Joseph do you think of someone who was a worrier, who constantly complained that the Lord was asking too much of him? Of course not! In Scripture we see him as someone who knew the gift he was given as the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus. We recognize the joy and gratitude he must have known being in relationship with Jesus and Mary, and knowing that the Lord would provide no matter what hardships stood in his way.
Speaking of his own experience of answering the Lord’s call, Zimak said, “I really believe that this joy flows from gratitude. When I start to realize all that God has given me – including time, talent, and treasure – that leads to generosity. And then from that generosity, I get additional joy. So it’s really beautiful the way it all works, but it starts with recognizing that He’s the source and that by me sharing what He has given me, He’s going to make sure my needs are met. Not just financially, but spiritually. And that’s one of the reasons that I contribute to Relevant Radio. Because I am part of the family and I believe in what you guys are doing, and I get fed in ways that I can’t even express through Relevant Radio.”
“You guys have helped me so much and I encourage everybody to consider becoming a family member. It is a great way to evangelize.”
We thank you for your prayers and support during our Join the Family Pledge Drive this week. And we want to let you know that today only (November 4), when you support Relevant Radio with a dollar-a-day ($365 or $30.42/month) donation, you will receive two very special St. Joseph thank you gifts:
- First, a Saint Joseph Prayer Book containing all the famous St. Joseph prayers, litanies, and novenas.
- You’ll also receive a St. Joseph Medallion from the Oratory of Saint Joseph in Montreal, featuring a beautiful image of St. Joseph and the Child Jesus on one side and the Oratory on the other.
These special gifts can be yours – all you have to do is make your pledge today!
