Saint Joseph: reflect, today, on his ordinary and "insignificant" daily life
On 8 December 2020, Pope Francis announced the beginning of the universal celebration of the "Year of St. Joseph", which will end on 8 December 2021. He introduced this year with an Apostolic Letter entitled "With the heart of a father ". In the introduction to that letter, the Holy Father said: "Each of us can discover in Joseph - the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence - an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of difficulty" .
Jesus came to his birthplace and taught the people in their synagogue. They were amazed and said, “Where did this man get so much wisdom and powerful deeds? Isn't he the carpenter's son? " Matthew 13: 54–55
The Gospel above, taken from the readings of this memorial, indicates the fact that Jesus was "the carpenter's son". Joseph was a worker. He worked with his hands as a carpenter to provide for the daily needs of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Son of God. He provided them with a home, food and other daily necessities of life. Joseph also protected them both by following the various messages of the angel of God who spoke to him in his dreams. Joseph fulfilled his duties in life quietly and covertly, serving in his role as a father, spouse, and worker.
Although Joseph is universally recognized and honored today in our Church and also as a leading historical figure in the world, during his lifetime he would have been a man who has remained largely unnoticed. He would be seen as a normal man doing his ordinary duty. But in many ways, this is what makes St. Joseph an ideal man to imitate and a source of inspiration. Very few people are called to serve others in the spotlight. Very few people are publicly praised for their daily duties. Parents, in particular, are often very little appreciated. For this reason, the life of St. Joseph, this humble and hidden life lived in Nazareth, provides most people with the inspiration for their daily life.
If your life is a bit monotonous, hidden, unappreciated by the masses, boring and even boring at times, seek inspiration in St. Joseph. Today's memorial particularly honors Joseph as a man who worked. And his work was quite normal. But holiness is found above all in the ordinary parts of our daily life. Choosing to serve, day after day, with little or no earthly recognition, is a loving service, an imitation of the life of Saint Joseph and a source of one's holiness in life. Don't underestimate the importance of serving in these and other ordinary and hidden ways.
Reflect, today, on the ordinary and "insignificant" daily life of Saint Joseph. If you find that your life is similar to what he would have lived as a worker, spouse and father, then rejoice in that fact. Rejoice that you too are called to a life of extraordinary holiness through the ordinary duties of daily life. Do them well. Do them with love. And do them by being inspired by Saint Joseph and his bride, the Blessed Virgin Mary, who would have participated in this ordinary daily life. Know that what you do every day, when done out of love and service to others, is the surest way for you to the sanctity of life. Let us pray to Saint Joseph the worker.
Prayer: My Jesus, Son of the carpenter, I thank you for the gift and inspiration of your earthly father, Saint Joseph. I thank you for his ordinary life lived with great love and responsibility. Help me imitate his life by fulfilling my daily duties of work and service well. May I recognize in the life of Saint Joseph an ideal model for my holiness of life. Saint Joseph the Worker, pray for us. Jesus I believe in you.