Ave Maria Meditations
Aware of the great mystery of the incarnation, Joseph’s whole life gravitated about that of the Incarnate Word: for Him he endured worry, suffering, fatigue, labor. To Him he consecrated all his solitude, his energy, his resources, his time.
He reserved nothing for himself, but completely oblivious of any personal needs, desires, or views, he devoted himself entirely to the interest and the needs of Jesus. Nothing existed for Joseph except Jesus and Mary, and he felt that his life on earth had no other reason than his care of them. In this way he participated fully, as a humble, hidden collaborator, in the work of the redemption; if he did not accompany Jesus in his apostolic life and to His death on the cross as Mary did nevertheless, he worked for the same.
+ Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, OCD