Father of Faith: Meekness

"When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them." – (Luke 2:48-50)

Case in point: "His parents saw Him," Luke reported. Yes, together at the temple. Not just Mary but Joseph as well. "They were astonished," again Luke said. Yes, together. "Your father and I have been looking for you," Mary said, "with great anxiety." Yes, together looking and feeling great anxiety. But underlying these feelings there is joy. Yes, together they feel the joy of finding and seeing their "Beloved Boy."

They were lost but now they both found Him. Yet underneath that joy and anxiety and astonishment lies the meek and loving hearts, especially that of Joseph.

He said not a word. He felt everything and yet, remained silent. He looked for Him, he saw Him, he was astonished, he felt great anxiety, not just his own anxiety but that of Mary as well; he felt her joy and meek love, but he said nothing. She spoke for him already. Whatever she said he felt. Whatever he felt she said it. No need for words. 

It takes a tremendous faith to be that silent and look and see and feel what another person experiences. It takes a profoundly meek soul to have that kind of faith.

Joseph was that kind of man. This is the price he was willing to pay in order to be the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mother of God and the foster father of God's Son. Without living his faith in silent meekness, there's no way he could handle the Holy Family, literally. 

His silent meekness is his secret power. It allows the Mother of God to speak to God's Son on his behalf.

His meek silence embraces the Son of God and His Mother and moves them both: "He .... was obedient to them." Yes, not just His Mother but Joseph as well.

What does that mean to you?

Your reflection.

Stop! Stay still for six seconds. Take a deep breath... say slowly:

JE-SUS....

The Saints on St. Joseph

“Joseph, of royal blood, united by marriage to the greatest and holiest of women, reputed the father of the Son of God, passed his life in labor, and won by the toil of the artisan the needful support of his family.” ~ Pope Leo XIII

“Joseph’s faith does not falter, he obeys quickly and to the letter.” ~ St. Josemaria Escriva

“His was the title of father of the Son of God, because he was the Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin. He was our Lord’s father, because Jesus ever yielded to him the obedience of a son. He was our Lord’s father, because to him were entrusted, and by him were faithfully fulfilled, the duties of a father, in protecting Him, giving Him a home, sustaining and rearing Him, and providing Him with a trade” ~ St. John Henry Newman

“In Joseph … heads of the household are blessed with the unsurpassed model of fatherly watchfulness and care.” ~ Leo

XXXI

“Jesus and Mary themselves obey and offer their homage to Joseph, for the reverence what the hand of God has established in him, namely, the authority of spouse and the authority of father.” ~ Pope Pius XI

“The growth of Jesus ‘in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man’ (Luke 2:52) took place within the Holy Family under the eyes of St. Joseph, who had the important task of ‘raising’ Jesus, that is, feeding, clothing, and educating him in the Law and in a trade, in keeping with the duties of a father.” ~ St. John Paul II

“Since God wanted to obey you, St. Joseph, allow me to be in your service, to honor you and love you as my Lord and Master.” ~ St. Alphonsus Liguori

Our Father...

St. Joseph: Father of Faith.

Help us practice meekness in silence (3x)