“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31)

If we look at St. Joseph as a “Model of Obedience for Those in Authority” we take the quote from St. Paul above as a reminder that obedience is always founded first and foremost in our understanding of obedience as a gift and virtue from God in trusting in goodness and holiness of life. In seeing St. Joseph as this model we hear from Archbishop M. de Langalerie in reflecting on St. Joseph where he writes, “Superiors and parents, when commanding, should seek only the greater glory of God. with this disposition of mind and this intention in view, they will find that in commanding others they are invariably obeying God.” (p 95 from “The Month of St. Joseph”)

We are reminded that all we do, whether as leaders or as disciples should always bring others closer to God. If we do this then following St. Paul’s words we do all for the glory of God in acting towards others seeking to grow and nurture holiness not just in our own soul but in the souls of others.
In all relationships this is a truth and especially in marriage, the Sacrament of unity of man and woman united around God, the seeking of holiness, to act for the glory of God should become the focus of the marital promise and vow. It is a reality where the husband and wife seek to draw the very best out of each other in obedience to love. It would be silly to say, “We are getting married to make each other a worse human being.” In both the practical but also in the deeper sense of a unitive love, this would be so counter to what we know and believe, we would dismiss and push back against this idea with great vigor.
“Again, contemplate St. Joseph in the cottage at Nazareth, dwelling with Jesus and Mary. Order and regularity attend his every action. He has a specified time for rising, for prayer, for meals, work, relaxation, and even for repose.” (p 96) If in using our imaginations and our lived experience, we can see Our Blessed Mother, St. Joseph and the child Jesus living this truth…the small acts of love and obedience lived out daily and with consistency.
We may ask the simple question, “Did Joseph share and speak of his love to Mary daily?” I am not talking about the over-the-top grand gestures, but rather the simple gestures of love that too often get lost in the thoughtless routines of life. Obedience to the greater, to the glory of God, is the discipline of acting towards another with the consistency of love, joy and graciousness drawing out of them, and ourselves, the best of who we are called to be by God.
Seeking to know the other, know the heart of the other, know the greatest desire of the other is living the discipline of obedience in love. This is true in knowing a spouse, a friend, and family member but it is also true in knowing God through the word made flesh in Jesus Christ. “For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace and the love of God?” (Thomas á Kempis)
We are all sinners, so the example of St. Joseph is one where we continually seek and turn away from sin that divides us. Seeking in the obedience of faith, hope and love, we seek to embrace the cross that leads us to forgiveness and mercy in our relationships with each other. Obedience isn’t blind but rather the search for a greater truth by a deep desire for love of another.
I will give the last word to St. Ignatius of Loyola and our Jesuit brothers, “A.M.D.G. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam—“For the greater glory of God.”” (Society of Jesus Motto)
God Bless
Fr. Mark