But isn't that Joseph's way? He is not a prominent presence in Scripture, so he often goes unnoticed. But he was a prominent presence in the lives of Jesus and Mary, and he can be in our lives too.
What do you really see?Spend some time with this quiet, unassuming statue next time you're in the church. Let it remind you of quiet, steadfast Joseph. Consider the material. The statue is carved out of strong wood, just as Joseph was strong yet carved by his faith into the husband and father the Lord asked him to be.
It often comes up when we talk about St. Joseph that he does not say one word in the Bible. Of course, the Bible teaches through what it says, but sometimes it teaches us just as much from what it doesn't say. It's no mistake that St. Joseph does not speak. What might that tell you about his most powerful quality–something that we, ourselves, are called to imitate?
Because of Joseph's silence, we are forced to pay attention to his work rather than his words. We watch and we learn, just as Jesus would have learned how to create and how to repair by watching Joseph work. In Joseph, we see a man who doesn't simply hear the Word of God but listens to the Word and obeys. We see a man who helps redeem and elevate the act of listening to a saintly act, to an act that participates in our very own salvation.
As you look upon Joseph's statue in our church, consider the quiet, unassuming man who listened and obeyed.
Reflect on how well you listen. Do you sometimes only hear what others are saying (perhaps eager to hear yourself speak more?) or do you listen carefully? Do you give them time? Does that listening lead you to act in their best interest? To act with love?
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Joseph, From Pope Francis’s apostolic letter, Patris Corde.