Today we get two different responses to subjective revelation. One descendant of King David, King Ahaz in Jerusalem, receives a message from God and refuses to even contemplate it. The other, a humble builder/carpenter (Gk tekton) in Nazareth, encounters an angel from the Lord in a dream and acts on the information given him. In fact, the man we know as St Joseph is a man of action who does not utter a word in the whole of Scripture (note that it is Mary who speaks when they find Jesus in the Temple) yet his actions are pivotal in ensuring that Jesus is kept safe and grows up in a stable household. The major difference between the two men is that Joseph is a "righteous man." He has always sought to do God's will and he does so on this occasion even at considerable personal cost and anguish. He is humble yet decisive. Sometimes we feel prompted to do things yet we cannot understand what God is asking of us or what the consequences will be. Nevertheless, we must have the courage to act in accord with the Gospel and in good conscience when prompted by the Holy Spirit or other forms of spiritual influence. Spiritual direction is helpful but it is useless for me unless I have a desire to be obedient to the Lord.
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