Letter of March 17, 2006

St. Joseph, the "Just Man" Who Lives by Faith
The Most Reverend Carl F. Mengeling, Bishop of Lansing

John Paul II spoke often of the FAITH of St. Joseph. In his Apostolic Exhortation of August 15, 1989, he wrote: "Joseph of Nazareth is the "just man" who believed in God and like Abraham had faith "hoping against every hope". Joseph believed like Abraham. He was called by the voice of God that salvation would be fulfilled.

He continues "The faith of Mary meets the faith of Joseph. Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary blessed is she who believed" is true also of Joseph who also said ‘yes’ to the word of God.

Joseph is the "just man" because he totally lives by faith. He is holy because his faith is heroic. He listens in silence. His heart always perseveres in readiness to accept the truth contained in God’s word.

John Paul challenges believers in a homily about Joseph’s faith. That was on March 19, 1982, St. Joseph’s Day in the cathedral of Livorno, Italy. The questions he wants us to ask ourselves fit in well with our lenten spiritual retreat.

"St. Joseph is great in faith, not because he spoke any words of his own, but because he listened to the words of God. He listened in silence. In obedience he became a witness of the Divine Mystery. The Word of God fell deeply into the soul of that "just man".

And we - do we know how to listen to God’s word? Do we know how to absorb it in the depths of our human ego? Do we open our consciences to this word? Do we read Sacred Scripture? Do we take part in catechesis?

We have so much need of faith! Great faith is so necessary to people of our time, our difficult modern age. Great faith is necessary today to individuals, families, communities, the Church.

People of God!
Fear not to accept Mary, together with Joseph of Nazareth.
Fear not to accept Jesus Christ, his Son, all your lives.
Fear not to accept Him with faith like Joseph’s.
Fear not to accept Him under the roofs of your houses.
Fear not to accept Christ in your daily work.
Fear not to accept Him in your world.

Then this world will be really human. Only the God - Man Jesus can make our ‘human world’ fully human."