Joseph Takes us By the Hand to Face Pain

A meditation preached on March 20, 2024 at Hawthorn School for Girls.

We are closing into the end of Lent. Yesterday we celebrated the solemnity of St. Joseph. We have been meditating on this figure during Lent. Sometimes seen as the silent type in the corner, who doesn’t say much. He may have taught Jesus the art of carpentry, yes. But that does not mean he was silently stepping back in the background all the time.

Jesus did know how to speak quite eloquently in public. He captivated people with his parables, and his images. Humanly hu must have seen that in Joseph.

Perhaps Joseph was not just the silent type who doesn’t say much at the cocktail party. Maybe he also learnt from him great eloquence and language, and images.

Crosses are covered now so that we can integrate the meaning of the cross in our life, more interiorly. That means understanding suffering and pain. Joseph guides us.

Music: 'Undertow' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com

Thumbnail: Commercial print of Joseph, from Sanctified Souls Shop