The lessons from the Silence of Joseph

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Solemnity of St Joseph : March 19*

*Gospel : Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a*

*First Reading : 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16*

*SECOND READING - Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22*

*The lessons from the Silence of Joseph*

*1) The Silent Joseph*

This could be one of the titles of St Joseph

At times St Joseph appears as silent in many scenes

Joseph hardly spoke anything and Gospel does not record even a single spoken word about Joseph 

So among all the saint St Joseph is the Most silent yet very powerful saint 

*2) Silence and the Will of God*

Only those who are silent can listen to the voice of God 

St Joseph is depicted as one of the saints who listen the voice of God, understood well and he was able to execute the plans of God in a perfect way 

The silence of Joseph has helped him to listen to God, understand His will and to work accordingly 

*3) Silence and His own conscience*

The Gospel says *He was a righteous man, He was just man*

One is able to become righteous and just person only by listening to ones conscience

The person who does not listen to the conscience can not become a righteous or just person 

In order to listen to the conscience, one has to remain silent. So the silence of Joseph helped him to listen to his conscience

*4) Silence and the Family Life*

The silence of Joseph helped him to accept Mary, without questioning anything about the mysterious plan of God in her Life 

The silence of Joseph helped him to understand Mary and Jesus in a perfect way 

The silence of Joseph helped him to carry out the responsibility of the family in a peaceful way 

The silence of Joseph helped him to avoid all the arguments and all the misunderstanding

*5) Silence and the peaceful life*

Joseph never fought with anyone with anger 

Joseph had a very challenging yet peaceful life 

At the end of the day he had the satisfaction of family life and carrying out the plan of God

This was possible only because of His silence 

*6) Silence is threatening*

Today silence means a great threat 

In the noise filled world of today silence has lost its value 

For many silence has become fearful, threatening and scary

Many can't face silence because it speaks to oneself about ones own life 

*7) Silence Shows who we are?*

Silence is the reflection of the person 

Only a integrated person  able is to manage the silence,  in an effective way 

Silence in life shows the our moral standard 

One who is unable to handle silence in life, shows the degradation of the  moral standard of the person 

Therefore silence is the reflection of the person

How do I manage silence in life? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*