The Only Man God Called “Father”

Yesterday morning when I woke up I begged my instincts to reconsider an early start, and was granted an extension until a little past 9 a.m. to process a very strange dream about two men from polar opposites. Because of the regular morning power outage here in the mountains, I spent a quiet morning in prayerful reflection and meditation, and picked up for the first time a book I’d brought about an extraordinary man: Saint Joseph, “The Only Man God Called ‘Father.’” St. Joseph has always been one of my favorite patron saints, but I realized this morning how much I’d recently neglected to seek his intercession, especially regarding the man I will share the rest of my life with (whose identity remains yet to be determined at this point! Excitedly to be determined, I should add).

I was struck profoundly, even moved to tears, from the very beginning of this book written by the Rev. Fr. Jose Dimaculangan, who notes that the Patron of the Universal Church “nurtures the core of authentic development namely, healthy marriage and family life, clear sense of mission in life, dynamic work ethic and responsible stewardship.” All of a sudden I was convicted by a realization that these four factors are THE real essentials in determining God’s best, far more important than less consequential attributes such as a sharp intellect, mathematical skills, and a good sense of humor, that are worth holding out for. After all, to the man who possessed these primary values did God entrust “His two greatest treasures, Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary.” So I ask God to likewise entrust me – His beloved daughter! - to someone who approximates the man commended with the protection, well-being, and upbringing of the Messiah. Too much to ask? Well, I’m of the opinion that if I’m going to ask anyway, might as well ask for the best He’s got to give…and somehow I know that He wouldn’t have me settle for anything, or anyone less.

Providentially, after I'd written the reflection above, I opened today's Gospel to find it to be on asking from the Father: "Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:7-11)

A God-fearing, God-loving someone who is 1. capable of promoting a healthy marriage and family life, 2. with a clear sense of mission in life, 3. imbued with a dynamic work ethic, and 4. a responsible steward of all things entrusted to him, including his time, talents, and relationships. Those things are now at the top of my new checklist…and then some. :-)