Gentleness and patience with others is a beautiful character of true piety. It is one of the fruits of that love of our neighbour, which is always joined with and springs from the love of God. Among the graces of holy Joseph's character his forbearance and patient gentleness towards Mary under circumstances that would with most,not only cause anxiety and suspicion, but harshness of conduct, was one. Joseph exemplified what Saint Paul writes: Charity is patient, is kind, thinks no evil, bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Oh! for more of this precious grace! how it might help to win for our holy religion its way with opponents and despisers! and the patient humility of Mary, is very deserving of our notice and imitation; keeping silence, and leaving it to God, in His time and way, to put an end to this heavy trial of Joseph and herself. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me (she said) according to thy word. Let their conduct and spirit be a lesson to us, not to allow the trials which God may send us or suffer to come to us, through others, make us fail in charity towards them, or submissive faith in Him.
- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp