Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. — Psalm 72 (see 7)

Mass Readings: Jeremiah 23:5-8/Matthew 1:18-25 

The Silence of St. Joseph 

We look to St. Joseph in many ways for the example he gives of a person wholly and yet quite practically dedicated to God. Joseph the carpenter is a model for workers as Joseph the guardian is for fathers. Another trait of St. Joseph that we might try to imitate is his silence. In all the accounts of him in the New Testament, St. Joseph never speaks a word. So today Joseph says nothing to the angel who appears in a dream, telling him to take Mary as his wife. 

Yet the very silence of St. Joseph is a most eloquent answer — one given not in words, but in action. Joseph simply “did as the angel of the Lord commanded.” We should not forget the eloquence of quiet action in our own response to God. 

Prayer: Dear St. Joseph, help me to quietly do God’s will.