# Listening to God's Voice and Praying to St. Joseph
*2020-03-15*

> Bill Young reflects on solitude, listens to Revelation 3:20, offers a prayer to St. Joseph for purity, and leads the Chaplet of Divine Mercy on the sixth day of the novena.

## Opening Reflection

Good morning, I’m Bill Young. Today is the third Monday of Lent, March 16. We begin with a reading from Father Henry J.M. Newman’s *One Journey of the Heart*: “Listen to God’s voice.” He quotes Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” In solitude we can strip away the illusion of possession and discover that we are not what we own, but what is given to us. Solitude lets us hear the One who spoke before we could speak, who healed before we could help, who set us free before we could free others, and who loved us before we could love anyone. It reminds us that being is more important than having, and that our lives are gifts to be shared, not possessions to defend. Let us pray, “Jesus, open my mind and heart to listen to Your voice in solitude.”

## Prayer to St. Joseph (Day 7 of the Nine‑Day Novena)

We now move to day seven of our nine‑day novena to St. Joseph, leading up to the consecration on March 19. I pray:

“Dear St. Joseph, I desire the holiness of a saint, pure in body and soul. Guide and protect me from temptations against purity. Keep my eyes and thoughts from wandering; if they do, bring me back to Jesus. Help me see the beauty of others through your pure vision. If I fall, grant me God’s mercy and free me from sin. May my actions aim to please God alone, not myself or others. St. Joseph, pure of heart, share your purity with me.”

Thank you, Father Michael Gately, for these words.

## Chaplet of Divine Mercy

We now pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen.

Opening Prayer:
“Jesus, You died for us, the source of life. May the ocean of mercy flow to the whole world. O Font of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, pour out upon us. O Blood and Water, fountain of mercy from the heart of Jesus, we trust in You.”

We continue with the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Apostles’ Creed, followed by the traditional prayers of the Chaplet: offering the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ for the sins of the world and invoking mercy “for the sake of His sorrowful passion.” The concluding prayer asks the Holy God, “Have mercy on us in the whole world.”

## Divine Mercy Reflection (Day 6)

The meditation for today asks God to bring the meek, humble souls and the little children into His merciful heart. These souls, like earthly angels, keep vigil at the altar of Christ’s suffering. Their humility draws forth torrents of grace. Jesus said, “Learn from Me: be meek and humble of heart.” May their fragrance rise to the throne of God, and may all the world join in praising His endless mercy. Amen.

## Closing

We will conclude with{the} daily rosary and continue our consecration to St. Joseph. Until next time, God bless.

*In solitude we hear God’s knock; in purity we follow St. Joseph; and in humility we share Divine Mercy.*