The Life of an Apprentice

We don’t know much about St. Joseph the carpenter. He is quiet in the scriptures. But in the collection of the maxims in Luke’s Sermon on the Plain, we might hear his voice and feel his influence: sound trees, rotten trees, splinters, logs, measures, judgment . . . sounds like lessons from a carpenter shop, doesn’t it? 

Imagine Jesus as a three-year-old. He wants to do everything his daddy does. As Joseph planes a board, a shaving falls into the little guy’s eye. The splinter irritates and waters for days before the tears flush it out. He cannot see. Does he learn what it is like to be temporarily blind? Does he worry about falling into a pit? 

Imagine Jesus at ten. He is excited about the cedar log that looks so solid, so promising on the outside. It will make a fine bench.  Joseph cautions him, “Hold your judgment until you see what’s  inside.” When the boy splits into it, is there heart-rot in the core? 

Imagine Jesus at thirteen. He wants to rush ahead on his own with a project that he is working on. Joseph slows him down, steadies his hand: “Wait for me. Measure carefully. An apprentice is no greater than his teacher. Listen and learn. One day you will be like me.” 

Imagine when Joseph is dying. In his behind-the-scenes way,  Joseph had borne good fruit. From the abounding love in his heart,  his mouth had quietly spoken. Did the young man recognize the store of goodness in his father’s heart? 

Jesus uses the word “Father” a lot. When he prays in the hills at night, he calls on his Father. When he teaches us to pray “Abba,  Daddy, our Father,” he begins with an expression of deep tenderness.  Did that too come from the carpenter shop? 

Consider/Discuss 

• In the old days, a father taught his son a trade, showing him how to do as he did. Jesus says, “A fully trained disciple will be like his teacher.”  The early church fathers suggest we take up that apprenticeship model as we grow in faith. The ultimate holiness is to become like Jesus, to be  “divinized.” The saints help to show us how; some are very quiet about it.  To whom would you like to apprentice yourself today? 
• Our world is full of noise. Lots of people are saying a lot of things. How  do we know what is true? How do we know what is wise? Sometimes,  like Joseph, it is the quiet ones, who live the life and walk the walk, who  embody the sayings in today’s scriptures. This week look for “a silent one,”  someone you would like to get to know better who could help you toward  holiness.

Living and Praying with the Word 

Jesus, you don’t want us to live a barren and empty life. You want  our hearts to be abundant in kindness and care for others, to keep on giving. You want us to bear good fruit, to keep on loving. You  ask us to become like you, to keep on trying. St. Paul tells us to be firm and steadfast, recognizing that our labor for you is not in vain.  We surrender our hearts and our lives to you this day. Make us your own, the saints that you call us to be. St.Joseph, quiet and loving, pray for us this day!