For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it
is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.
(St. Therese of Lisieux, from CCC 2558)
This simple statement gives us a perfect image of prayer in the life of St. Joseph. Before the coming of Christ, Joseph turned his eyes upward toward God the Father, Creator of the universe. Three times a day, Joseph would have stopped to pray: morning, afternoon, and evening. He grew in relationship with God through the habit of regular prayer.
At the birth of Jesus, Joseph began to pray by also looking downward. He would have experienced the immediate expanding of his relationship with God the moment he looked down upon the Incarnation, God with Us, the infant Jesus. Imagine Joseph's simple look toward Heaven come to earth, the surge of his heart, his cry of recognition and love! So simple, yet so profound. This is the same relationship to which we are called.
So how do we enter into prayer to the same degree that Joseph did? After all, we don’t have the benefit of a living, breathing, God-in-the-flesh among us. We can gain some insight from Fr. James Harden, S.J., who describes prayer as conversation. Fr. Harden identifies 5 conditions for conversation that guide our prayer:
First, I become aware of the other. Awareness is the first condition of conversation.
Second, conversation means that I wish to share something of myself with the other, thoughts in my mind or sentiments in my heart. I am willing to give of myself.
Third, I turn toward the other, orienting my body (externally) and my spirit (internally) in their direction. My
posture is the visible sign of my interior disposition.
Fourth, my purpose is to communicate, to bridge the gap between myself and the other, uniting ourselves because part of me has now become part of you.
Fifth, every conversation must elicit a response from the other, or it is not a conversation.
Sacred art beautifully illustrates Joseph’s prayerful response. We can see from Joseph’s posture, the intensity of his gaze, his gentle nature, the receptivity of his "yes" to God, his love for Mary, his gift of self, and so many other ways that he lived his life prayerfully. He is a wonderful model for us, and truly a saint who can guide and accompany us to a richer life of prayer.
This reflection is written by Mary Hallman, Director of Evangelization
>How can integrating the 5 Conditions of Conversation into your prayer life improve your communication with God?
Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the immaculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Amen.
Read How Do I Go Deeper in Prayer? by Fr. Mike Schmitz
