‘There will be surprises in heaven’ – whenever I have heard this statement, it has been used in reference to what is deemed as service to the Lord and to his kingdom. The reason is because there is a tendency to think that those who are the ‘face of the Gospel’ as we see it, are the most influential in the kingdom.
The reason this comes to mind is because of a statement I heard at Mass today. Saint Joseph, foster father of Jesus does not appear to have any statements in all of scripture. That drew my attention so with a bit of searching, he said one word recorded in Matthew 1:25 during the naming ceremony “and he called his name Jesus”.
Yet, throughout scripture, his silence which is more pronounced did not hide his influence. He was present during all the key moments of Jesus’ early life, had an ear that heard God for his family and was key in Jesus’ development. He taught him his trade hence Jesus was described in Mark 6:3 as ‘the carpenter’, because He had learnt from Joseph.
There is book I am reading “Quiet-the power of introverts in a world that cannot stop talking” and it’s interesting because we live in a time where many want to adopt an exhuberant persona in an attempt to fit in. However, not all can bear that profile. And contrary to popular opinion, noise is not equivalent to productivity, and the loudest in the room is also not necessarily the most influential.
Joseph’s contemplative nature was not inhibitive in playing his role as foster father to Jesus. So you don’t have to be loud to exert influence, influence itself does the amplification.
#sly
Your Daily Dose 
Leave a comment