"To Be People of Presence and Action"

By Br. Reegan Ledet, SDB

What can I say about our beloved St. Joseph? Although he's the patron of fathers, workers, religious brothers, and of the Church, these are things we know all too well. While we know he always prays for us, I began to reflect this year about what exactly Joseph teaches us. The Year of St. Joseph ended last week on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Pope Francis gave the year to truly be with Joseph along with Mary and Jesus. To be with—I think that is the first thing that I learned from Joseph. He never ignores the chance or opportunity to be with Jesus and Mary. Throughout the Gospels, we never heard Joseph speak any words; yet his presence is always felt.

Being present is truly a challenge for us in this modern age. How can we be without always having to do? How can I be present without having to take centerstage? This year, Joseph, the "righteous man," taught me the beauty of silent humility (a virtue I'm sure we all struggle with). In an age that has more noise than silence and greater activity than reflection, he is a great model of what a silent voice can do. His virtue is shown through being a living witness to the Love made flesh. He shows nothing but devotion and respect toward Mary. He also raises the Child Jesus and teaches him the ways of faith and family, even at the moment of death he was surrounded by his bride and son (The Bride and the Son).

Although the Year of St. Joseph has ended, let us remember to be with our families as he did, to be present to God as he did (and is, especially in the young and poor), and to be humble witnesses of the Love of God for all people. In short, we must learn from St. Joseph to be people of presence and action for the Love of God and the young (or in other words, to be signs and bearers of God's Love for the young).