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Theology of the Heart- the Saints |
ST.
JOSEPH AND SUFFERING
by
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan
Because so little is expressed in Sacred Scripture regarding Saint
Joseph, there is a significant risk that Catholics will forget to
consider this "just man" as a true model of the spiritual life. This
would be unfortunate indeed. The foster father of the Lord Jesus,
the most chaste spouse of Our Blessed Lady, and the powerful patron
of the universal Church -we know from tradition-lived a humble yet
heroic life of authentic virtue steeped in and strengthened by an
exemplary acceptance of personal suffering.
Saint Joseph has something to teach us about the willing acceptance
of suffering. What we do know from the New Testament about Saint
Joseph is actually related to suffering; his honorable name seems
particularly synonymous with the quiet acceptance of various
obstacles to be patiently surrendered to and eventually hurdled.
Does this mean that Joseph was, sadly, a man with bad luck? No! The
presence or absence of so-called "good luck"-which has customarily
been the long-awaited dream of those who had little faith and
relationship with the living God but which the disciples of Christ
are to readily reject as not taking into account the love and
providence of the beneficient Lord -had nothing to do with Saint
Joseph. The all-wise Creator allowed his cherished son Joseph
certain demanding sufferings, knowing that he would persevere and
reconfirm his utter confidence in the Almighty.
Here are a few of the truths concerning suffering found in the life
of Saint Joseph:
- 1) The suffering which God permits is not meant to punish those,
like Saint
Joseph, who are sincerely seeking the Lord. The foster father of
Jesus, in all reputable interpretations, was one who faithfully
heeded the divine Word. The suffering which God allowed him to
experience was not designed to crush this good man but to enable him
to share in some way the life-giving cross of the Child under his
capable guardianship.
- 2) Suffering which comes to us because of the sin of another is
not to make us "bitter" but "better." How easy it would have been
for Joseph to respond in anger when he was told by the Angel to flee
Israel and travel to Egypt. It was not Saint Joseph's fault that
King Herod was insanely jealous and desired to destroy the Babe of
Bethlehem. But Joseph packed his
bags and took Mary and the Messiah to a safe refuge. Such
tranquillity inspires us to remember that our heavenly Father really
cares for us-His sons and daughters-regardless of the arduous trials
which surround and inflict us. Saint Joseph did not hate Herod for
his unreasonable envy but instead placed all his trust in the Lord,
resulting in an intensification of supernatural grace within his
soul.
- 3) Suffering to which we genuinely yield leads to God's further
glory and our salvation. Anyone who-thanks to the superabundant
grace of Jesus Christ-triumphs over sin and human weakness testifies
to the overwhelming goodness of God. He alone brings fruit from out
efforts. The Lord is the Harvest-Master, we the servants who only
perform our duty. Not only is He honored by our holy endeavors in
His Name, including the acceptance of suffering which He permits,
but we also are assisted along the challenging path to Paradise. No
one can be redeemed without Calvary; no one can be saved without
being washed in the Precious Blood of Christ shed for our sins.
Saint Joseph is an excellent and much-needed companion during the
forty penitential days of Lent. His intercession and stellar example
help us to appreciate more fully the inestimable value of "voluntary
penance" (i.e., that mortification which we choose to practice)
which provides a solid foundation for the cheerful acceptance of
that "involuntary penance" (i.e., that mortification which we do not
actually choose) which many times comprises the suffering of our
lives and is sometimes difficult to receive with trust in God's love
and mercy for us.
Everyone in Heaven today would strongly agree: suffering is to
become the friend of the Christian. Suffering accepted in union with
the Passion of Jesus Christ will one day give way to everlasting
joy. Suffering will find no welcome at the banquet table in the
unending Kingdom of God. Those-like Saint Joseph-who victoriously
reign with the Savior in the next life will be devoid of any
suffering but rather filled with unfathomable peace and happiness.
Saint Joseph: a man of suffering. Saint Joseph: a man of joy. The
Beatific Vision which Saint Joseph now enjoys has eclipsed any
remnant of agony which he knew here on earth. Lent is the perfect
time for us to make the commitment to follow the Lord God and obey
His commands as Saint Joseph did without deviation. Our acceptance
of the suffering which the compassionate Lord allows us will be the
preparation for the acceptance of another gift: union with the
Blessed Trinity forever.
Msgr. Charles M. Mangan is a
priest of the Diocese of Sioux Falls, SD. A prolific writer,
Monsignor is a member of the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes
of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. He has an S.T.L.
in Canon Law and is currently completing a doctorate in Mariology.
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