I remember reading this chapter last March thinking as I began how Archbishop M. de Langalerie in his book “The Month of St. Joseph” would talk mostly about how St. Joseph was invisible in the Gospel except in the few passage. This was of course noted but what he many focussed on was the structure of family life and how Joseph lived this life hidden as so many parents are in their journey as a family.
His first area was in the house with work, Jesus choosing carpentry as his lively hood following his foster father’s example, the affection and gratitude, the fatherly counsel and care and ultimately the “rendering mutual service” (p 71) in sharing the life in the home. Second was the life of faith in both the sabbath observance and how this unity of the family prepares us for the separation that will occur and the dangers that often follow along this life. And finally it is where the, “Family ties are strengthened and affection nourished by the mutual interchange of thought…instruction given children, and the thousand other acts tending to attract the heart. Picture to yourselves the interior of the Holy Family at Nazareth. See Jesus, Mary and Joseph at their meals, at work, and in conversation.” (p 72)

The model of the hidden life for St. Joseph, as it is for all parents, is the small acts of blessing and thanksgiving, the pin pricks of suffering and worry the fill our days and nights but ultimately we place in God’s embrace our trust in turning over our children to God’s care. The hidden life is visible but always seeped in the deeper mystery of the relationship of husband and wife, of parent and child, in the community of the family united in a purpose greater than just the individual glory the world points out and celebrates.
At the center of the hidden life is prayer. Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak in their book “Praying for (and with) Your Spouse” point out “the most common springboard for your prayer life will be the daily blessings.” (p 75) Knowing the center of the hidden life, for St. Joseph, was Sabbath and prayer. The gathering of family around the wonder of blessing in teaching and living by example the love God has for each one of us. The coming together to let our hearts be filled with joy and blessing, so in absence of our loved ones that will come, the same gifts of love will be present deep within the heart.
What was the hidden life of St. Joseph within the Holy Family, as husband of Mary, as a member of the community both in Egypt and then in Nazareth? Is it simply him being, foster father, husband and a man of God living his vocation in the world? The more I think about it the more I believe this is the hidden life for each us. I remember a friend who had the blessing of meeting both Pope St. John Paul II and St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta where he shared with me this simple thought. They didn’t say a word to him. They simply looked at him and in this he encountered holiness. It was an encounter not with a large sermon or teaching but simply a life lived in communion with God in those daily blessings, those tiny blessings, that surround us in so many different ways, often unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of life, but those little graces from God we are called to share with our brothers and sisters.

St. Joseph, surrounded by the great grace and blessing of the Son of God, Jesus growing up before his eyes, and the union with our Blessed Mother Mary saw also how his smaller and many would say insignificant blessings as part of the greater family. This is our challenge to—to share our blessings, even when we think they aren’t worthy of notice, with others and recognize how blessed we are by seeing God’s gifts surrounding us and accepting them knowing of the greater blessing of our sacramental life of love.
God Bless
Fr. Mark.