Around the feast of St. Joseph this year, the well-known spiritual writer, Matthew Kelly, described St. Joseph as having the best supporting role in salvation history. Obviously, Jesus ranks first and his sinless Mother second. But the loving cement of that little family, the one who, on the human level, made their family life possible was quiet, humble, hard-working and loving Joseph.
Kelly explains the secret to the holiness of St. Joseph as his total and complete availability to God and to whatever God asked of him or permitted to befall him and his family. Our own Francis de Sales would be in total agreement with Kelly here.
When the angel told Joseph in a dream to wed Mary whose condition was suspect to some, he did not hesitate for one moment. Her burden would now become his as well. God spoke and Joseph acted.
After the very challenging circumstances of the birth of Jesus, the angel told Joseph to flee to Egypt. Immediately, he gathered the new mother and infant and journeyed as aliens and foreigners into a new and strange land. When God spoke, Joseph acted --without discussion, without delay. At that moment, the Holy Family became one with all those who have ever fled to another land for safety.
After the stressful incident in Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve, we hear no more about Joseph. It is presumed that he died long before Jesus began his public life. He was, in a sense, being asked to trust that God would now care for his beloved spouse and only son. God spoke and Joseph said yes.
Joseph was one hundred percent available to God’s will for him throughout life, in matters both large and small. Mary uttered her “Fiat!”, her “Yes!” at the Annunciation and throughout her life. Joseph did the same. Jesus learned from both parents: “I do always the will of the One who sent me!”
How can we be more available to God’s will as were Jesus, Mary and Joseph?
V. Rev. Lewis S. Fiorelli, OSFS
Provincial
Wilmington-Philadelphia Province
