Page 96 - Reflections on St. Joseph

"To the angelic orders Joseph always obeys readily and every time occur an expression most
suggestive of his prompt response:" he took with him ". The first time was at the end of the
annunciation of which he was the addressed: "he did as the angel of the Lord had ordered him
and took his bride with him". Subsequently, "taking with oneself" concerns the angelic order
about the child and mother to seek refuge in Egypt; finally the same expression occurs when it
comes to returning from Egypt. "(Card. Gianfranco Ravasi).

Certainly all this is wrapped in the mystery of God, which is accessed only by faith and
obedience to his will. Well, even in this Joseph excelled, defined, precisely because of his faith,
with the sober and great appellation, of "just man". And right also because in all his life he
always and only did the will of God.

Obedience is the condition of the social order. Society rests on the foundation of the fourth
commandment, therefore without obedience there is no social order. From the Supreme Pontiff
to the child, we see a stairway composed of innumerable steps, where each has inferior and
superior levels. Everyone must obey. The Pope is also subject to the laws and regulations
established by Jesus Christ. If we observe obedience, society, communities, families are good; if
obedience is violated, everything walks slowly towards ruin.

Obedience is the condition of perfection and holiness especially for consecrated souls; the flight
of obedience is their strength, their strength, the custody of their virtue. Whoever follows
obedience, at every moment does the will of God, then walks on the path of holiness; he does
not need to look for where the will of God is: he
has it before his eyes at every moment,
without danger of deceiving himself.

To reflect: Is my obedience ready, simple and
supernatural? Can superiors always count on my
willingness to accept a change of home, parish, or
service? Or are they afraid to ask me something,
do they have difficulty organizing the province
because I refuse to cooperate?

03 - Saint Joseph presides over the family of
Nazareth, supports the home with his work,
defends it and protects it, not with a leaders
attitude, but leaving this role to God. After
having started the day with praise to God
together with his family, Joseph dedicated
himself to the work of carpenter / blacksmith
in his workshop: he welcomes and contracts
customer requests, giving them due attention;
and at the same time doing the deliveries in
the right and honestly agreed ways. However,
a reflective man as he was, Joseph knows and

72 Reflections on st. joseph