Page 124 - Reflections on St. Joseph
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In interior solitude, he examines the options which come to him and matures his
decision. His discernment and interior struggle, marked by the obscurity and the
uncertainty as to what steps to take, concludes with the words revealed to us by the
angel: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because that
which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 1,20).4.4 The unique synthesis of
Joseph: a life unified
To harmonize the interior life of a person with its necessary external activities is one
of the greater problems and challenges of our times. Yet, Joseph of Nazareth presents
himself as one capable of harmonizing both the daily routine of a worker with the
consciousness of living in the presence of the Son of God. His daily work is in
harmony with his contemplation of the mystery “hidden from the ages”, which “has
come to dwell in his house” (n.25). In Joseph, the interior life is never separated from
exterior life, but, on the contrary, guides and appreciates the concrete, daily and
historical dimension of life.
The limitless depth of the interior life of Joseph, as the Apostolic Exhortation calls it,
is the source of his motivation, dedication, his zeal and his service. The text mentions
some exterior manifestations which come from the interior: “the great
decisions”(n.25); “the readiness of the will to dedicate itself to those things belonging
to his service”(n.26); “the strength typical of simple and pure souls”(ibid); the
willingness to do the will of God and his capacity to renounce natural conjugal love
for an incomparable virginal love which is his foundation and nourishment”(n.27).
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Reflections on st. joseph