This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
St. John Chrysostom’s last name–which is really more like a nickname–means “golden mouth” in Greek. He was legendary for his eloquence in proclaiming God’s word and thus bringing many to their salvation and sanctification.
Likewise, St. Thomas Aquinas is the “Angelic Doctor,” so named because his theological teaching was so beautiful and exalted that it appeared to be coming from the angels themselves.
We can enumerate saint after saint whose gift is to favor the world with grace-filled words about Jesus.
Today’s saint is one of the most exalted of all–Pope Pius IX declared him to be patron and protector of the entire Church.
And yet, in the Gospel, he is mute. Not a single word of his survives. Not one.
Why is he so revered? Today’s first and second readings give us a clue. In St. Joseph the promise of ages comes true: That the Messiah would be a descendant of David, and would cause the reign of David to last forever. Not because Jesus came biologically from Joseph, but because, like Abraham brought forth the People of God in faith, Joseph lent to Jesus his human lineage in faith and in obedience. Thus, albeit not in a biological way, St. Joseph played a pivotal role in passing on to Jesus His humanity.
While this role in salvation history is exalted, however, it is not what captivates us about Joseph. Rather, what enthralls us about this great saint is his silent role in the Gospel: A role of absolute trust in God in obedience, and a role as the archetype of a definitively masculine protector and provider. How does he do this, while remaining silent (at least in what is recorded about him)? It almost gives the impression of winning while playing with a handicap.
Those of us who are fathers look up to him–a man who took the most extraordinary challenges and trials in gloriously graceful, manly stride–we look up to him with great veneration. He is a paragon of what it means to be the strength of man, surrendered in humble service to the most remarkable of women.
Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Compare the loud, sometimes futile nature of your life, to the silent effectiveness of Joseph–not to get down on yourself, but in order to steep your heart in admiration for this man among men, a very close approximation of what God designed man as man to be. Whether you are man or woman, ask St. Joseph to intercede for you, so that you too may become a paragon of silent, obedient surrender and service. Invite St. Joseph to be patron of your own family, and to protect you as manfully and as effectively as he protected the Holy Family itself.
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