Reflection on Saint Joseph
An Imaginative Prayer Reflection
Let's close our eyes and transport our minds and hearts to the little town of Nazareth, to the home of Mary and Joseph. Imagine stepping into Saint Joseph's sandals, a man of quiet strength, chosen by God to be the earthly father of Jesus and the protector of Mary. He was a man who chose obedience when societal expectations would have condemned him for marrying a pregnant woman.
Take a deep inhale through your nose and slowly exhale…
Joseph returns home after a long, arduous day. He spent hours building a roof, cutting, transporting, and fitting wood. His muscles ache, and his stomach rumbles with hunger. He removes his sandals, washing the dust from his feet with cool, refreshing water. Stretching his tired back, he feels the earth floor cool against his skin. A delicious aroma fills the air—nutty, sweet bread, making his mouth water. Before greeting Mary, he blesses their home with "Shalom," peace.
Silence greets him. He moves toward the kitchen, his footsteps muffled by woven rugs. Another sweet scent—honey cakes!—eases the tension in his shoulders. This was home.
He finds Mary kneading bread, humming softly, a smile on her face. He pauses, savoring the moment, watching her in her element. His gaze falls upon her rounded belly, and his heart swells with joy. He was going to be a father. He already loved his son, unseen. A silent prayer rises within him, asking God to help him be the father and husband he was called to be. What a blessing, this new calling, to serve the Lord in such a profound way.
Matthew 1:18-25 beautifully recounts Joseph's acceptance of this extraordinary calling. We know little about Joseph, but what we do know paints a picture of a man of honor, a righteous man chosen by God to guide and prepare Jesus for his ministry. I often wonder about the fear and feelings of inadequacy Joseph must have faced. How often do we grapple with similar feelings when God calls us to serve?
But it isn’t our place to determine our worthiness; that rests solely with God. His will is always perfect. If He calls us, it is because He needs our unique gifts. The angel's message to Joseph, "Do not be afraid," must have been a daunting request. Yet, Joseph remained steadfast, his faith strong enough to place his complete trust in the Lord. He didn't know what the future held, that his son would sacrifice himself for humanity. But through the naming of Jesus, "God is with us," Joseph understood his son's divine purpose.
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Joseph embodied this faith. His confidence in God's providence, despite not understanding the path ahead, inspires us.
We are all called to serve the Lord with our gifts and talents. We must not fear saying yes, even when we feel unworthy. We must remain confident that God will not lead us astray. His will is perfect, and even in our stumbles, He will create good.
Let us now turn to Saint Joseph, asking him to instill his confidence within us, so that when God calls us to act, we may respond with a resounding yes.