Page 122 - Reflections on St. Joseph

Ultimately, the root of the great decisions does not derive itself from human calculation, but
the ability to embrace the will of God, the sacrifice which Joseph makes of his entire existence
to the needs of the Messiah coming to his own home, the constant readiness and faithfulness to
his mission, his simple and domestic virtues, his style of life admired by throngs of devotees
and saints over the centuries; all of which finds its foundation and source in the “limitless depth
of his interior life” (RC 25).

4. The ABC’s of the Interior Life of St. Joseph

If on the one hand, Redemptoris Custos defines the interior life of St. Joseph to be a “limitless
depth”, on the other it proposes a few fundamental aspects which make manifest its richness
and which call out to us. We will focus on four dimensions which seem to be the most
distinctive and unique in the journey of our Saint.

4.1 Listening to God - the Primacy of the Word of God

Listening to the Word of God is the first principle of the interior life and a biblical
commandment. God urges His people: “...Hear O Israel...”(Dt 6,4-9). On his part, man,
conscious of his own vocation and dependence upon God, responds: “Speak, Lord, for your
servant is listening” (1Sam 3,10). This affirmation well expresses the fact that listening
constitutes the first act of man and a fundamental attitude in biblical anthropology, since
man is called to listen so as to be able to enter into communion with God.

St. Joseph is present in the Gospel as one who hears the message, and without hesitation,
dodging, excuses or requests for explanation and clarification, puts it into practice. It is
interesting to emphasize that this readiness to listen occurs in the circumstances of daily

98 Reflections on st. joseph