Learning from Saint Joseph of Cupertino: Simple Faith in Action

Today we remember Saint Joseph of Cupertino, a man who shows us that God delights in using the simple and humble. Joseph struggled with learning throughout his life - he had difficulty reading, writing, and understanding complex theological concepts. Yet God chose this simple man to become a priest and perform extraordinary miracles. Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:3, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Joseph embodied this childlike faith perfectly. He didn't rely on his intellect or education - he simply trusted God completely. When Joseph couldn't understand difficult theological questions during his ordination exam, he prayed with such simple faith that God gave him the exact answers he needed. This wasn't about being ignorant or anti-intellectual - it was about recognizing that our relationship with God doesn't depend on our human wisdom, but on our humble trust in His power. How often do we complicate our faith? We think we need to have all the answers, understand every doctrine perfectly, or impress others with our spiritual knowledge. Joseph reminds us that God values a simple, trusting heart more than all our human achievements.

 

What sustained Joseph through all his difficulties was his deep life of prayer. He would spend hours before the Blessed Sacrament, often becoming so absorbed in prayer that he would levitate - literally lifted up by his love for God. Paul instructs us to "pray without ceasing" in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Joseph lived this verse. Prayer wasn't just something he did - it was the foundation of everything he was. When faced with academic challenges, social rejection, or any difficulty, his first response was always prayer. Joseph's prayer life teaches us that consistent, heartfelt prayer transforms us. It wasn't just that God answered his prayers - though He did. It was that prayer itself changed Joseph's heart, aligning it more perfectly with God's will. In our busy world, we often treat prayer as a last resort or a quick request for help. Joseph shows us that prayer should be our first response and our constant companion.

 

Joseph's life was marked by constant struggles. He was rejected by multiple religious communities because of his learning difficulties. People mocked him and called him slow. He failed exams and faced humiliation repeatedly. Yet he never gave up on his calling. Romans 8:28 reminds us that "we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Joseph lived this truth. Every rejection, every failure, every moment of humiliation was used by God to shape him into the saint he became. Joseph's perseverance wasn't based on his own strength - it came from his unwavering trust that God had a plan for his life. When doors closed, he kept knocking. When people rejected him, he continued serving. When he failed, he got back up and tried again. This is the kind of perseverance God calls each of us to have. Not the stubborn persistence of our own will, but the patient endurance that comes from trusting God's timing and purposes.

 

Saint Joseph of Cupertino challenges us to embrace three things in our daily lives: simple faith, consistent prayer, and patient perseverance. First, let's embrace simple faith. Stop trying to complicate your relationship with God. Trust Him like a child trusts a loving parent. When you face problems you can't solve or questions you can't answer, turn to God with simple, honest prayer. Second, make prayer your foundation. Follow Joseph's example by setting aside time each day for focused prayer. Start small - even ten minutes of quiet time with God can transform your day. Let prayer be your first response to every situation, not your last resort. Finally, persevere through difficulties with trust in God's plan. When you face rejection, failure, or setbacks, remember Joseph's example. God often uses our struggles to prepare us for His purposes. Don't give up - keep trusting, keep serving, keep believing that God is working all things together for good. Saint Joseph of Cupertino reminds us that God doesn't call the equipped - He equips the called. Your limitations don't disqualify you from God's service; they position you to experience His power in extraordinary ways.