Page 40 - Reflections on St. Joseph

his care. He does not lord it over them or flaunt authority over them (cf. Mat 20:25). Leaders who
feel themselves high above/before others are easily noticed from their attitude and approach to
things and to life’s situation generally. They feel unique and special, desiring that everyone bows
at their feet and hail them at every given time (cf. Lk 20:46). They feel peerless even among
equals, attributing their position to their intelligence and ability. They see themselves as
successful, called to be served and not to serve.

Long before Jesus would make the path of servant leadership a model for His followers, St.
Joseph, His legal father, had lived it out and showed Him the example of a servant leader.
Although the Scriptures did not really tell us about the acts of Joseph in this regard, one can,
however, infer from his style of life that Joseph was not a ‘boss leader’ over the family of
Nazareth. His silence is the first indication to testify that he was not bossy and he was not one
who tries to gain popularity for himself, being the man under whose care the long awaited
Messiah finally manifested Himself. Joseph’s silence, made even louder by his humility, was not
out of ignorance of who the child Jesus was. He knew beforehand that the child to be born is the
Emmanuel, the Son of God that generations had long awaited. His encounter with the Angel
Gabriel already revealed that to him (cf. Mt. 1:20); the nativity of the Child testified to it (cf. Lk
2:7-20); the visit of the Magi acclaimed it (cf. Mt. 2:1-12) and the presentation of the Baby in the
Temple sealed it (cf. Lk 2: 22-40).

It was not for lack of knowledge or information that Joseph did not publicise his personality or
make ridiculous claims about his person in connection with the Divine Son, but it was out of
consistent witnessing to a life of virtue that he walked the path of simplicity. In fact, it had been
noted right from the moment of his encounter with the Angel that he was a just man (cf. Mt.
1:19). The sense of justice connotes righteousness which does not allow one to arrogate to oneself
that which by right does not belong to him or
to make any false claim for oneself of that
which does not emanate from one’s ability or
power. Joseph, having always loved and
revered God, knew his life was for the
fulfilment of God’s will and wanted nothing
more but to love an serve God.

On another hand, the humility Joseph
exhibited at the finding of the Child Jesus in
the Temple, after he had gone missing for
three days, speaks of the fact that he was a
servant leader who gave free hand also to his
spouse, Mary, in the management of the
affairs of the family. Contrary to the Jewish
tradition of his time that relegates women to
the background and prefer to have them seen
rather than heard, Joseph maintained a
balanced relationship with Mary, giving her a
warm treatment, other than what other

16 Reflections on st. joseph