St. Joseph and the Virtue of Constancy
Constancy in a Sea of Change
We live in a fast-changing world. Last year’s smartphone is surpassed by a more sophisticated model. Cultural trends rise and fall in a matter of weeks. Who has not experienced the changeability of relationships, the political arena, or even long-held traditions in our Faith? Nature herself seems increasingly unpredictable.
The virtue most needed in such times is constancy—the quality of remaining steady and unchanging through high tide and low. A rock by the sea remains the same whether the waters are serene or storm-tossed.
Yet true constancy is more than just being stonewall stubborn. It grows out of a love that endures every hardship. A mother keeps watch over her sick child by devoted love, not stoic determination. In like manner, Our Lady remained at the foot of the Cross through undying love.
Steadfast Saint Joseph
To cultivate constancy, then, it helps to have a sturdy example. Such a model is St. Joseph, who encountered more than a few waves in his life. How did he remain so stable? Because he rested on the Rock. This he expressed inwardly by continual prayer and outwardly by faithfully fulfilling the Mosaic Law. The circumcision of Jesus, the presentation at the Temple, and the annual family pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover (cf. Luke 2:41) all reveal his steadfastness.
He also practiced heroic constancy towards his virginal spouse, Mary. Through noble chastity, he became a sacrificial burnt offering before God. Thus, though he never spoke a word in Scripture, his silent example speaks volumes. It is as though God perfected him in the furnace, not for the sake of punishment, but to make him shine:
Their sufferings were minor compared with the blessings they will receive, because God tried them and found them worthy of Himself. As gold in the furnace, He proved them, and as a victim of a holocaust, He has received them —Wisdom 3:5-6.
Our Lady’s Pregnancy
Our Lady’s pregnancy reveals St. Joseph’s constancy under duress. She is pregnant and he knows: 'I am not the father.' He is caught between the knowledge of her goodness and the possibility of infidelity. The sheer perplexity of the situation makes him feel as though he is dragging a cartful of wood uphill. Through sleepless nights and long days, he broods over the turn of events. All the energy needed to earn his daily bread flows out of his broken heart.
His Constancy Towards God
In the midst of this anguish, he turns to God. To whom else could he turn without exposing Mary to trouble, perhaps even death? He desires to do the right thing before God and decides to divorce her quietly.
However, God is attentive to his anguish and intervenes. He sends an angel to instruct Joseph: “Proceed without fear; the Child's father is the Holy Spirit; you must name the Child Jesus for He will save His people from their sins” (cf. Mt 1:20-21).
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Bethlehem
Under the stress of a Roman decree, Mary and Joseph make the arduous mid-winter journey to Bethlehem. While Mary likely rides sidesaddle, Joseph walks the entire distance—nearly eighty miles on foot
Upon their arrival, door after door closes in his face as he seeks shelter for his wife. Rather than lose heart, he searches until he finds a small cave on the outskirts of town. The cave contains a manger, indicating that animals dwell there regularly. Though the space is far from tidy and the hour is late, Joseph rolls up his sleeves and gets to work.
Marriage and Family
When King Herod perceives a threat to his power, he seeks to destroy the newborn King. At the prompting of an angel, the Holy Family responds by fleeing to Egypt. Here, we see how St. Joseph navigates through a major storm in his life.
In a moment, he must leave his homeland and face complete darkness regarding the future: where to settle, how to find work, and the duration of their exile. The challenges of living in a foreign culture are far from small. To protect his family, he must provide a sense of security amidst the unknown. A key to his constancy is Our Lady’s unwavering encouragement. With her support, he looks beyond the present situation.
After this trial passes, yet another awaits them. Twelve years later, the Child is missing. Physical and mental exhaustion take their toll as Mary and Joseph search from morning to evening for three days. Mary takes note of Joseph's anxiety and keeps him going through her prayers and example (cf. Lk 2:48).
Constancy in the workshop
The practice of carpentry requires much sweat and motivation. If it is demanding for a 21st-century woodworker, how much more so for St. Joseph. There is no Home Depot in Nazareth, no power tools or electricity, no manuals or videos to offer guidance. He fetches lumber and laboriously processes it. In a cramped workshop, he accomplishes everything with rough, handmade tools. Moreover, the days are long, and the Middle Eastern heat doubles his labors.
Finally, we might consider St. Joseph’s perseverance as he grows older. With age comes a decrease in physical strength while his aches and pains increase—typical of a lifelong craftsman. Hence, St. Joseph has to make an even greater effort to get through each day. Why does he push himself? For the love of Jesus and Mary, to provide their daily bread.
5 Ways to Cultivate Constancy
1. Drink From the Source
Divine constancy is the source of human constancy. As we meditate upon God’s steadfastness in Scripture, enter into recollecting, quiet prayer, and receive the Sacraments, we obtain grace from the very Source of all virtues.
2. Look to the End
Michelangelo beheld the final masterpiece in his mind before a chisel ever touched the stone. Thus he patiently overcame every obstacle until the glorious unveiling. In our spiritual life, we must remember the surpassing reward in heaven for our labors here on earth. Jesus endured the cross and every humiliation because of the joy set before Him (cf. Hebrews 12:2).
3. Meditate on the Passion of Jesus
Daily meditation on the sufferings of Jesus served as high octane fuel for the saints. They easily scaled the mount of perfection because they frequently meditated on the Passion of Christ. Jesus told St. Faustina: My daughter, meditate frequently on the sufferings which I have undergone for your sake, and then nothing of what you suffer for Me will seem great to you. You please Me most when you meditate on My Sorrowful Passion. (Diary 1512).
4. Practice in Small Steps
Learning a new craft, language, or skill, is simply a matter of repeated small steps. Before success arrives, there is much effort and error. Consider the child learning to walk. The virtue of constancy comes in the same way. Every time we can succeed in surmounting a small difficulty, our inner muscles grow.
5. Remember That God Sees You
When rowing the turbulent waters of life, cast a glance toward heaven and remember that God sees you. His compassionate heart understands the difficulty, and He permits this trial only to bring about a greater good. No tear is forgotten nor prayer lost. Whatever God does, He ordains through His mercy. Amen.
