Page 13 - Reflections on St. Joseph

time, we run the risk of reducing ourselves solely to one dimension, being swept away by
activism, which does not necessarily mean “time dedicated to the mission of evangelization”.
Without moments reserved exclusively to being with the Lord, consecrated persons, little by
little, become like branches detached from the vine, and gradually the salt of our vocation loses
its flavor.

St. Joseph - a busy and contemplative carpenter

Taking my inspiration from the above comments, and making use of this Year of St. Joseph,
which among other things, invites us to re-read the Apostolic Exhortation Redemptoris Custos
30 years after its original publication, I would draw attention to one aspect of Joseph as
depicted in the pages of this document. The purpose of this my letter would be to stimulate
reflection and further study of the need for a greater harmony between our being certosini and
apostoli, or in other words, between contemplative love and love expressed in service, which
we must unite in our lives and in our mission.

For many centuries it was the common opinion that contemplation was an activity reserved to
monks and religious, presuming it to be incompatible with secular activity, which was viewed
as an insurmountable obstacle. To become a contemplative therefore, you needed to distance
yourself to isolated places.

However, the Guardian of the Redeemer offers us an interesting lesson on the theme upon
which we are reflecting, because at first glance, he does not seem to meet the requirement just
mentioned. Living in the world, St. Joseph was obligated to occupy himself with daily life and
constantly maintain his network of social and professional contacts. Beyond the time he spent
on the roads of Palestine, his activities don’t seem to favor the maintaining of that tranquility,
which would be thought of as a condition of contemplation: as a husband he knew the taste of
marital crisis and passed through a time of discernment (Mt. 1,18-24); as an anxious father he
searched 3 days for his Son, not being able to understand the actions of the 12 year old
adolescent who, without explanation, wanders away (Lk 2,50); as a laborer he surely
experienced the precariousness of his work. For the rest, as a refugee, he was constrained to
leave his homeland, and with his family flee the wrath of a tyrant obsessed with power (Mk
2,14-15).

Nevertheless, the history of spirituality associates our carpenter Saint, involved in his daily
responsibilities, with being a contemplative. The Apostolic Exhortation Redemptoris Custos
affirms that he only apparently gave priority to his activities, and while the Gospels speak
exclusively of what Joseph “did”, still, they allow us to discover in his “actions” covered in
silence, an atmosphere of profound contemplation. Joseph was in daily contact with the
Mystery “hidden from the ages” which “came to dwell” under the roof of his house. (RC 25) “To
his work as a carpenter in the house of Nazareth, is extended that same climate of silence.”
(Ibid).

Joseph, the just man, awaited the coming of the Messiah, listening to and meditating on the
messianic promises of the prophets. His first meeting with Jesus occurred when He was still
hidden in the womb of Mary. Later, he advances along the way of contemplation, assisting with
the adoration of the shepherds come to the place of His birth (Lk 2,15-16). His heart is filled
with admiration while participating in the homage of the Magi come from the East (Mt 2,11).
Still later, at the Circumcision, fulfilling the requirements of the Mosaic Law, he had the
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Reflections on st. joseph