As you may have seen, the Bible contains not a single spoken word from St. Joseph, whose feastday we celebrate today. Nonetheless, the Scriptures do tell us that he was a just man (Matthew 1, 19). In the Biblical sense, a just man is one who faithfully does his duties to God, to lawful authorities, and to his fellow human beings. The Bible also tells us: he loved, cared for, and protected Jesus during the Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2, 13); that, after their return from Egypt (Matthew 2, 20), he and Mary searched for Jesus when He remained in the Temple (Luke 2, 44-48); and when they went back to Nazareth (Luke 2, 51-52) he protected and made provision for his family.
How did Joseph provide this protection and provision? By his unfailing presence and committed fidelity. He did it silently and justly by doing the will of God. He has been called “a silent saint in our noisy world,” giving himself quietly and unselfishly to others.
St. Joseph continues to protect and make provision for those who take care of children, elderly parents, the aged, and the sick. May all who care for others find inspiration in his example.
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A Reflection from Pope Paul VI: “Saint Joseph offered the whole of his existence in a total sacrifice to the demands raised by the extraordinary coming of the Messiah, whom he acknowledged as the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and as his own son in a special way. Joseph was a fully committed man, as we might say nowadays. And what commitment! His were the burdens, risks, and responsibilities of caring for the Holy Family. He carried out the service, work, and sacrifice that Christians still so admire in him – and that makes him such a fine patron for family life.”
