St. Joseph...Man of Stillness

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What makes a good man? How does the Holy Bible illustrate and exemplify a TRULY good man?

As the celebration of the holy birth of our Lord Jesus Christ approaches, it focuses our attention onto one and only one- particular adult man, St. Joseph. St. Joseph was a Jewish man of full maturity. He was a man who dwelled peacefully in Nazareth. The Holy Bible records very few details about his history of life upon earth.

Yet, we can be assured that the man chosen to be engaged to St. Mary, and the only man identified by name present at the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ was a chosen representative of his gender. He would willingly come to serve as our Lord Jesus Christ's earthly adoptive, and legal father as directed by the angel of the Lord. This was the supreme embodiment of an earthly good man. An example to us all of a truly good man.

What can we comprehend regarding the mental and moral characteristics of St. Joseph? St. Joseph was foremost a man of stillness. He is made known to us in the very few Holy Bible verses written of him that imply so.

First, we come to understand that St. Joseph in quietness gave service to the Lord. It is widely known that stillness eradicates anxiety, promotes calmness, and it optimizes wellness of mind and body. He resided in Nazareth reputed as a place of substance abuse, obscurity and of disreputable evildoers. The Holy Bible does not record St. Joseph in quarrels with others, a stressful marriage, work related discord nor entertaining societal pleasures.

St. Joseph did not follow the negative examples of his countrymen. He exhibited a continued stillness within himself. The people from other cities looked down on the Nazarenes. He was a Nazarene and the Nazarenes were despised and held in contempt by others. They believed that no one from Nazareth could be a prophet, rise up to fame, and have credibility or honor. He did not become anxious and depressed over what thousands of others thought about his origin and kindred. He steadfastly served the Lord.

Secondly, St. Joseph did not place his own feelings and personal beliefs above those that were the Word of our Lord. St. Joseph allows God to be in control of his life.

The Holy Book of Psalm 37:23 says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delights in His way."

Those who follow God's Word in a country where St. Joseph lived could not have found life easy. Perhaps it was a daily challenge for one such as Joseph to live in Nazareth. It has often been said that in facing difficulties strength grows. St. Joseph did not embrace the anthem of "Everyone else does it, why can't I?"

He was a strong man of internal steadfastness in the Lord. As in serving the Lord AND allowing the Lord to be in control of his life it was difficult for anxiety and depression to enter into St. Joseph's life experiences. There are none recorded.

We know St. Joseph made decisions of quietness, of obedience and of physically taking action by traveling as directed by the Lord. There was no discussion, no asking for an alternative, and no good intentions. It was obedient, action oriented, the steps of a good man.

Thirdly, service and obedience to the Lord strongly encourages stillness and internal peacefulness. St. Joseph was a thoughtful man who did not scrutinize the faults of others. Peacefulness is the key to conflict resolution. It eradicates the need to be right. St. Joseph exhibited a life of stillness and silence.

What can be discovered among this way of life? Peacefulness is a state of tranquility or calm, where one feels at ease with themselves, others, and the world around them. St. Joseph found a sense of peacefulness at the Holy Nativity, a calmness at looking up at the star, a stillness associated with the outside world.

"Every Psalm brings peace, soothes the internal conflicts, calms the rough waves of evil thoughts, dissolves anger, corrects and moderates' profligacy" – St. Basil the Great (4th century).

Typically, quietness has no turmoil, nor does it result in catastrophic events. Quietness also cultivates being free from agitation, anxiety and the need to absolutely always be right. Calmness does not put your needs before others. As we come to understand the importance of silence, we install quietness of mind and focus on God.

St. Joseph's life is a perfect representation of a "good" man present at the Holy Nativity, the birth and childhood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The stillness of it all allows us quietness to make room for our Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts and in celebration of his Holy Infant birth.

May we all follow the example of St. Joseph in stillness and put God's Word first. Let us not only listen to the Words of God but act upon them and peacefully follow the star this Holy Nativity season.

God bless you,

Metropolitan Youssef
Metropolitan, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States