We don’t know a single word that Saint Joseph ever said. The gospels never quote him directly. Yet he is one of the most vibrant and nuanced characters in all of scripture. Within only a few generations people began to write books about him and his life. He has been an inspiration to millions of people across thousands of years. How could a man who never speaks stir the hearts of so many? It’s simple. Joseph’s actions are a language unto themself. He shows great love taking Mary as his wife. He shows great fidelity and faith by dedicating Jesus to God. He shows great discernment hearing the voice of God through dreams and acting wisely in response. He shows great courage leading his family away from Herod’s murderous plots, he shows humility and hard work quietly providing for our savior growing up, he shows a great love of God taking his family to the Temple. The apostle James teaches us in James 1:19 we should be quick to listen, slow to speak.
Since many think James himself was a relative to St. Joseph this may well have been a lesson he learned from Joseph himself. It’s a lesson we can all learn from. In an age where everyone has a voice and a platform there is great wisdom in learning to speak with our lives first.
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