St. Joseph, Patron of the Inner Soul
Gospel Reflection for Mar. 19: Matt. 1:16, 18-21, 24a
Today’s readings can be found on the USCCB website.
We often think that to aspire to be close enough to God to receive visions, or experience that mystical union some saints talk about, is a very lofty goal and not meant for the ordinary. I would disagree and I believe St. Joseph would also.
In Matthew’s Gospel we hear how Joseph was a righteous man who did not wish for Mary to be possibly examined and stoned for adultery upon discovering her pregnancy, but lovingly wanted to preserve her as best as he felt he could, given the circumstances and what was prescribed by the Law. By living his life according to the precepts of the Law, interpreted first with love, his disposition to God is revealed to us as one open to the purpose of the Law, that is, manifesting God’s will. His loving obedience can and should be contrasted to the Pharisees’ and scribes’ rigorous obedience to the Law.
Joseph shows us how the disposition of our inner selves either opens us up to be able to encounter God or closes us off. The life of Joseph, who became righteous by the grace given him to develop his inner soul to come to a place where love and obedience are not separate things, but one and the same, tells us that this goal is not lofty. This grace is given to every baptised member of the Ecclesia, Christ’s body.
And the Spirit who is poured out into us is inexhaustible in the ways he chooses to unite with members of Christ’s mystical body “to demonstrate in the Church of all centuries the continual reality of revelation - not as something past, but as something present.”1
In our observance of the feast of St. Joseph, let us find inspiration in practicing the virtues, which orient us consistently towards God. May we embrace his grace during moments of overwhelming challenge. And let us approach the world with love and a commitment to obedience to God, engaging in the quiet struggle of the interior life as we strive for holiness. Strive for it even if this struggle remains largely unnoticed by others, except to say that we are working out our salvation “with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)
And who knows - perhaps a nap or a good sleep will indeed reveal the joy of God’s presence to us too.
St. Joseph, patron of the inner soul, pray for us.
Hans Urs von Balthasar, The Glory of the Lord, A Theological Aesthetics: Seeing the Form, Vol. 1, trans. Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis, ed. Joseph Fessio and John Riches (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1998), 409.
'...the precepts of the Law, interpreted first with love..' The necessary ingredient in remaining non-judgemental, and letting God's will prevail: Joseph's example to us all. Thank you Jane, for illustrating this so beautifully.
So beautifully said..