Did one of your New Year’s Resolutions involve growing spiritually? If so, you’re in luck! We are currently in the Year of St. Joseph, and there are a number of ways the foster father of Jesus and spouse of the Virgin Mary can help you grow in your spiritual life.

Father Edward Looney, a priest of the Diocese of Green Bay, stopped by Morning Air® this week to reflect on St. Joseph, and what a powerful influence he can be in your own spiritual life.

Father Looney pointed out that unlike many Biblical figures, St. Joseph doesn’t say much. But his actions and influence played a large role in the life of Christ and can play a large role in our lives as well.

“We can look to his silent witness, to his example, and find someone that we can take inspiration from,” he said. “That’s the story of all the saints. There is something in these people’s lives that can inform us and help us to be better followers of Jesus.”

In fact, St. Joseph’s silence in the Gospels can be very relatable. Perhaps you will not have your words remembered throughout history, or be part of every historic moment. But doing the work that God has given you can be your way of serving Christ and the Church. Reflecting on last Sunday’s Gospel recounting the Epiphany, Fr. Looney noted that the Gospel doesn’t mention Joseph at all. But that doesn’t mean he was not fulfilling the mission God had given him.

“You wonder, where was he if Matthew doesn’t say?” Fr. Looney noted. “Maybe St. Joseph was off praying, maybe he was giving thanks to God for the life of his child. Maybe he was off working so he could provide for the Holy Family. Maybe he was doing some sort of task to help his spouse, the Blessed Virgin, and the Christ Child.”

“There are so many different options that he could have been doing, but he was going about his daily life, his daily work. And that’s what we do in our life. Really the pattern of the Holy Family consecrates everything we do as well.”

St. Joseph is known as a powerful intercessor, particularly for helping people find employment, sell a house, or find a spouse. Morning Air host John Harper shared his own story of how St. Joseph helped him on a financial level, but noted that the spiritual gifts St. Joseph gave him in that process were the real treasure.

“I tell this story of my devotion to St. Joseph, and it came through Relevant Radio® and the Relevant Radio App,” John said. “It was brand new at the time, probably 15 years ago, and there were those prayers to St. Joseph that are on the Prayer tab. I was saying them, but not praying them. But then when I finally started praying them and living the words, and trusting St. Joseph, that’s when things turned around.”

John shared with listeners that at the time he was caring for his mother who was ill, and was trying to make a living working from home – which at the time was very difficult.

“There were years when we lived below the poverty level,” John recalled. “That’s how low money got in taking care of her and all the medical needs she had. But St. Joseph answered those prayers in his time.”

“He not only answered those prayers, but he gave me the gift of humility and the gift of patience,” he said. “We always want an instant return on our prayers, and St. Joseph answered them in his time. And that was the greater gift than the financial gifts, by which I mean the gifts that made it easier to take care of Mom and take care of the house. But that gift of patience is one of the gifts of which I credit St. Joseph.”

If you would like to increase your devotion to St. Joseph during this Year of St. Joseph, we have the perfect opportunity for you! Sign-up to Experience the Year of St. Joseph with Relevant Radio and you’ll receive a free prayer booklet, access to our “19 on the 19th” speaker series, and more! Sign-up today to join in!

Listen to the full conversation with Fr. Edward Looney below:

Morning Air can be heard weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. Central on Relevant Radio and the Relevant Radio App.