There are many mysteries in the life of Our Lord and Mary, and St. Joseph also had a part in many of them. Here are some suggestions for personal reflection on the life of St. Joseph.
1. St. Joseph’s early life, growing up in his home with his parents: the most perfect of sons; a delight to his parents; the cause of their joy.
2. St. Joseph’s interaction with the persons around him: his broader family, relatives, neighbors, friends. St. Joseph was a model for all. Everyone could note his loving devotion to his parents and his care for the family home. He was an obedient son. He was always cheerful and optimistic in a manly way. There was no questioning his purity. It was obvious to all that he guarded his eyes and all his senses. He had no other desire that to please God with his every thought, word and deed. His conversation revealed the purity of his heart and mind.
3. St. Joseph was full of life. He thoroughly enjoyed the world God has made for us. The refinement of his senses enabled him to appreciate the beauty of creation. His mind and heart were attuned to God’s ways and consequently he could see good everywhere.
4. As the most perfect man after Christ himself he was richly endowed with divine gifts. He was a man of few words but his words were always charitable. They revealed the love for God that he carried in his heart. He commented on what he observed; he responded to the impressions of others and interacted with them in a most engaging and interested way. He never offended God by any of his words (thoughts, desires or actions). In all things he sought to please God and, by cooperating with his grace, he pleased him more than any other human being, except his beloved Spouse.
5. St. Joseph’s heart and his life were filled with joy: the joy of knowing and experiencing the closeness of God. He wanted to share this with everyone around him. Others in fact found their spirits lifted up in his presence. All could find in his peace and joy a brighter outlook on life and its problems.
6. St. Joseph loved to work. He was always ready to serve. His delight was to serve Mary and Jesus, and of course, friends and neighbors and those who called upon his services. With a sense of responsibility, he took pride in doing a job well. After all St. Joseph knew that God himself sees and knows all that we do.
7. St. Joseph was a prayerful man. For him, as for us, to pray is to converse with God. We talk to him and he talks to us. We listen to him and he listens to us. St. Joseph’s prayer was never rote, never boring. His prayer was characterized by that intimacy that comes when two people in love share their sentiments. At times he prayed out loud with Mary and Jesus. And in the depths of his heart there was always that constant dialogue of love with God.