A RIGHTEOUS MAN

A RIGHTEOUS MAN Is it NOT ENOUGH To be a RIGHTEOUS man In today's world? I think it is Not only that I think it is A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT In today's world With temptation all around us Sexual temptation-financial temptation You don't have To watch the news Or read the newspaper Very long Without seeing How many people Have just fallen “........He was a righteous man........” Matthew 1:19 During Advent We think about The birth of the Christ Child We think about the BLESSED MOTHER And the journey to Bethlehem The birth of Jesus In a lowly manger We don't hear to much About Joseph But he was there As part of the HOLY FAMILY He was faithful- He was gentle And he ALWAYS did The right thing I think maybe this world Then-as now Could USE a few more people Being righteous A few more people DOING the right thing “Surely Lord- You BLESS the righteous You surround him With your favor As with a shield” Psalm 5:12 “The Lord's curse Is on the house Of the wicked But he BLESSES The home of the RIGHTEOUS” Proverbs 3:33 There were consequences For adultery at the time Of Mary and Joseph Mary could even Have lost her life By being stoned to death Joseph knew this He stood by his young wife He did NOT expose her To public ridicule YES-faithful and GENTLE Joseph Always did the right thing What a better world It would be today IF more of us-did the RIGHT THING “He guides the humble In what is right He teaches them HIS WAY” Psalm 25:9 “Kings take pleasure In honest lips They value The one-who speaks what is RIGHT” Proverbs 16:13 And Jesus is our KING There is VALUE In just doing what is RIGHT Family men-fathers Are the EVERY day heroes Of this world A And Joseph is The FATHER Of us all With patience and humility He is thrust into history As the adopted father Of Jesus The adopted father-of the CHRIST CHILD He FULFILLS his obligations To his family-and to God He becomes a model FOR ALL MEN A model-for all fathers Down through the ages He is indeed A RIGHTEOUS MAN Robert P. Wallman 12-17-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Paul Pennick With grateful thanks and MEMORIES for my very own father-and the example he set for me-as well as Saint Joseph