Pope Francis invited the faithful to follow the example of St. Joseph, who expresses himself not with “empty words,” but with “concrete deeds,” during the general audience he presided over in Paul VI Hall this January 29, 2025.
For this weekly Wednesday appointment, the Pope continued his catechesis on the life of Jesus in the light of hope, which he will develop throughout this Jubilee year.
This morning, he meditated on the character of Joseph, drawing inspiration from the Gospel episode in which Joseph discovers that his fiancée, Mary, is pregnant.
His love “is put to the test,” noted the Argentine pontiff, pointing out that this situation should have led to the breaking off of the engagement. But Joseph “did not allow himself to be overwhelmed by instinctive feelings” and let himself be “guided by divine wisdom.”
Just as he had resolved to separate from Mary discreetly, without bringing her into disrepute, God speaks to him in a dream, revealing that the child Mary is carrying “comes from the Holy Spirit” and will be the Savior. “Joseph doesn't ask for further proof; he trusts God,” said Francis.
The 266th pope then gave as his model Joseph, who “does not speak words, but believes, hopes, and loves.” Joseph “does not speak with empty words, but with concrete deeds,” he insisted, wishing the faithful “the grace to listen more than to speak.”
