May 1 – Feast of St. Joseph the Worker
St. Joseph (d. 1st century) was a descendant of the House of David. He was a layman, a builder by trade; traditionally a carpenter, but may have been a stone worker. He was the earthly spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the foster and adoptive father of Jesus Christ. He was a visionary who was visited by angels. He was noted for his willingness to immediately get up and do what God had told him to do. He died of natural causes, prior to the Passion of Christ.
- Patron Saint Index
Acts 5:27-33
Jn 3:31-36
“Obedience to God comes before obedience to men…”
After Jesus’ crucifixion, three days elapsed before His resurrection. He remained on earth 40 days after that, before His ascension into heaven. It was another ten days after that when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles.
After Pentecost, the apostles began their public ministry, leading to the rapid growth of the first Christian community, the occurrence of miracles, and confrontations with the religious authorities.
Overall, it appears that the described event in the first reading happened within some three to four months after Jesus’ crucifixion. Three to four months for Peter to move from one who denied Jesus to save himself, to one who publicly declared Jesus to be the leader and Saviour.
Peter, who had witnessed what had happened to Jesus — the arrest, the torture and the murder of Jesus — was more than likely to have been aware that the same thing could happen to him and the rest of the apostles.
The short timeline of Peter’s conversion surprised me and convinces me that the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection, as well as the coming of the Holy Spirit, was so powerful as to change someone who was frightened, to one who was unafraid to stand up to the same authorities.
I have seen changes in myself over time, too, but that was over decades, due to age and experience. It would have been virtually impossible for myself to see the same kinds of growth and development over a period of months.
Brothers and sisters, the changes that happened to Peter must have been the work of the Holy Spirit, not the result of time. Let us pray that we allow the Spirit to work in us in the same way!
(Today’s OXYGEN by Paul Wee)
Prayer: Dear Father God, help allow Your death and resurrection to continue to convert us become stronger and better. Help us love You and love each better and deeper.
Thanksgiving: Thank You for showing us the power of Your Spirit and love. We are grateful for Your gift.
OXYGEN 
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