A Reflection on Together in Faith’s January Scripture
By Erica Schieffer
Our scripture for January is found in one of the most famous passages St. Paul ever wrote. Most of you have either heard of it or have used it in a wedding setting. 1st Corinthians chapter 13 is by far the most widely known teaching of sacrificial love that the whole world recognizes. Verses 1-3 teach us that our gifts and works without love mean nothing. Verses 4-7 speak to us about what true agape love looks like; it’s a love that acts for the good of another, not the self. And finally in 1st Corinthians chapter 13, verse 8, we read, “Love Never Fails”!
One of my all-time favorite Christian bands is the band For King and Country. Their song “Proof of Your Love” is this passage beautifully put to music. Their chorus reads “So let my life be the proof, the proof of Your love. Let my love look like You and what You’re made of. How You lived, how You died. Love is sacrifice. So let my life be the proof, the proof of Your love.”
As I listen and meditate on the words, I am flooded with images of St. Joseph praying this to God saying “Let my life be proof of Your love”. The foster father of Jesus was not 100% sinless, but he was incredibly humble. There are three people in the Holy Family: Jesus, who was sinless and God; Mary, who was sinless; and Joseph, who was a man and not sinless. Guess who God put in charge? The one least qualified. Like young little David going out to meet the Philistine giant Goliath, I’m sure Joseph felt the same trust in God when he was told by the angel to take Mary as his wife, to flee with the newborn Jesus and His mother to Egypt, and then when it was time to return to Nazareth. All three yeses Joseph said without hesitation or question. Joseph knew God’s voice and followed it without delay. It was Joseph’s humility and love that allowed him to answer swiftly every time the angel of the Lord spoke to him, to lead and serve his wife and Son, and to set an example of sacrifice and obedience for his Son.
This month of January brings with it a New Year. Let us take some time in silence and allow God to reveal to us the imagery of St. Joseph and his role in the Holy Family. Ask St. Joseph to show you what “Love Never Fails” looks like and how by him trusting God fully, the path to our salvation was protected.
Father God, let my life be the proof of Your love. Let all that I do and say be done with agape love.
St. Joseph, show me how to say yes to God’s will in every circumstance and trust in His provisional care.
Amen