Day 19 - Little Month of St. Joseph

 

19th Meditation.

" Joseph arose, and took the Child and His Mother by night, and retired into Egypt."
-Saint Matthew ii. 14.

 

Admire the promptitude and calmness of this act of obedience: Qui consurgens. The Angel has spoken, Joseph arises. He commands in as straightforward and simple a manner as he obeys-he uses no subterfuge with regard to many, but takes the Infant and His Mother: Accepit puerum et matrem ejus and at once they set forth. Nocte: that very night, without objection, hesitation, or delay, the command of heaven is obeyed.

The world is surprised at the activity of the Saints, at the multiplicity of their works. Let us reflect on the time we lose in resisting the Divine inspirations, the orders of Providence, the claims of duty, and the rights of obedience. If we simply do what God wills, we shall find time for all.

Remark the parallel in the words of the Angel and the conduct of Joseph. The acts of the latter respond word for word to the commands of the former. The Angel has spoken: "Arise," Surge, and Joseph arises: Qui consurgens. "Take the Child and His Mother," adds the Celestial Messenger, and Joseph takes the Child and His Mother. Accipe puerum et matrem ejus; Accepit puerum et matrem ejus. Again the Angel continues: Flee into Egypt, and Joseph flees into Egypt. Fuge in Ægyptum; -Secessit in Ægyptum.

Let the rule of your conduct be the Word of God, whether manifested by the voice of those whom He has given you as Superiors, in the Church, in the family, in your own special sphere, in the rules of your profession, in the inspirations of grace, and the external leadings of Providence, and then your walk will be sure and firm, calm and rapid; all difficulties will vanish, all obstacles disappear.

Behold Saint Joseph, Secessit in Ægyptum, he retires into Egypt. The words are so short and simple that at first we dream not of the anxiety, pain, and peril of so long and sudden a journey. But God has spoken, God wills it, therefore nothing is difficult, nothing is impossible.

Watchword. Before obedience all difficulties vanish.

19. The Shipwreck and the Seven Paters and Aves

Two Franciscans who had been shipwrecked were clinging to a fragment of timber, where for three days they remained between life and death. At last they recommended themselves to Saint Joseph, and at once a majestic youth appeared and steered them to the shore. On landing, the two religious threw themselves at the feet of their liberator, entreating him to reveal his name. "I am Joseph, whom you invoked," replied he; "and if you wish to give me pleasure, let no day pass without reciting seven Paters and Aves, in memory of the seven joys and seven dolours of my earthly life." That said, he disappeared, leaving the two religious overwhelmed by gratitude and joy.