Saint Joseph, so serene, so humble, so loving, and so faithful as you contemplate the Baby Jesus in your arms. You were for Jesus on this earth the image of His Father in Heaven. You were for Mary on this earth the most loyal and loving husband. Who can fathom the beauty of your holiness, the depth of your compassion?

Saint Joseph, who have no record of speech in the Scriptures, you are the Master of the art of silence, the prayer of silence, which you perfected in the presence of Jesus and Mary. Not the silence which shuts out others, but the silence which welcomes every concern; not the silence which breeds misunderstanding, but the silence which is true communion; not the silence which freezes the heart, but the silence which opens hearts to love. 

This silence which breathes life, shines light, and communicates in a language beyond the power of words.

St John of the Cross had understood the power of silence when he wrote that what God most desires is that we are silent before Him, “with the tongue and with the desire, for the prayer which He hears best is the language of silent love.”

This is not to say that prayer with words is not to be practiced. No, on the contrary, words in prayer are essential. But what it does mean is that we ought to progress to the language of silent love, in the advanced spiritual life, like two lovers who hold hands in silent love, because their hearts are so united that they have no need for words, and can commune more perfectly in silence.

Saint Joseph is the image of God the Father. We will never tire contemplating this idea if we have truly entered into its meaning, gained a little glimpse into its truth. Saint Joseph is the silence of the Father, this silence which again St John of the Cross understood so well:

“The Father spoke one Word, which was His Son, and this Word He always speaks in eternal silence, and in silence must It be heard by the soul.” (St John of the Cross, Maxims and Counsels, 21)

What profound words ! Words which recall the silence of the Father!

How can we begin to understand such silence? How can we, poor children, so poor in spirit (as Jesus alludes to in His sermon on the Mount), begin to enter into the silence of the Father? When we are so caught up with so many words, so much information, so many misunderstandings in human life, in the course of daily life, let alone the spiritual life, with so many thoughts and affections and desires running around in hearts and minds—how can we begin to be silent so that the Holy Spirit can touch us, and mould us, and help us to enter into the silence of the Father?

Perhaps if we follow Saint Joseph in his earthly pilgrimage, and reflect on the mysteries which he shared with Jesus and Mary, we might begin to be still, and to realise what the sacred Scripture refers to:

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

LG Sleiman

26th January 2012