Page 125 - Reflections on St. Joseph

Furthermore, the synthesis between his interior and exterior is highlighted by other
expressions of the Apostolic Exhortation: “To his work, the carpenter of the house of
Nazareth extends the same atmosphere of silence”(n.25) and also you can “discover
in his actions, wrapped in silence, a climate of profound contemplation” (ibid); and
finally, he lives, “in daily contact with the mystery ‘hidden from the ages’ which
‘came to dwell’ in his home”(n.25).

Equally precious is the text of the Apostolic Exhortation which indicates the source
of what overcomes the apparent contradiction between the interior and exterior:
“The apparent tension between the active life and the contemplative, finds in him an
ideal transcendence, possible for one who possesses perfect charity”(n.27). Perfect
charity allows Joseph, and whoever follows his path, to harmonize and join together
the apparent contradictions between the closing of historical experience to
interiority and the evasion of historical experience which falls into self-centered
intimacy.

5. Ite ad Joseph

The figure of St. Joseph, model of the interior life, illustrated by the Apostolic
Exhortation Redemptoris Custos, draws us to what is essential and returns us to the
primacy of those values which lately have been obscured and forgotten. Therefore it is
worth the effort to allow ourselves to be inspired by him and to commend ourselves “to
the protection of him, to whom God Himself ‘entrusted the care of his greatest and most
precious treasures’”(Quemadmodum Deus).

This is the lesson which the Guardian of the Redeemer leaves us who are called to give
witness to Christ and maintain a constant dialog with God without neglecting our
responsibilities in the world. Our holy Founder recommends: “Let us ask St. Joseph to be
our spiritual director”, and adds: “St. Joseph, protector of the interior life, be my
Teacher”.

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Reflections on st. joseph