21st Meditation.
"But
when Herod was dead, behold an Angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in
Egypt, Saying: Arise, and take the Child and His Mother, and go into the land
of Israel. For they are dead that sought the life of the Child."
-Saint Matthew ii. 19, 20
Days, weeks, months, and
years pass, and the expected Angel does not reappear. What if there has been
some illusion? Will it not be wise to settle definitely in Egypt Doubtless the
Jews, then so numerous in that land, often said to Joseph: Follow our example;
we, like you, have given up our country, and the holy city of David; like you,
our hearts turn incessantly towards the Temple of our God; but, nevertheless,
we have made our home in this friendly land.
Joseph lives on from day to
day, relying on the Angel's promise, and awaiting his return.
Let us beware of clinging too
fondly to any place, employment, or special occupation. Let us hold ourselves
ready to quit all, so soon as by the voice of an angel, visible or invisible-I
mean, by the voice of a superior, by the force of circumstances, or by secret
inspiration, we shall be called to another sphere and another work.
You have conceived such and
such a project, undertaken a certain work, embraced a certain state, cultivated
a certain virtue, demanded a certain grace, impelled by an inspiration that you
deemed divine. And now years have gone by and no light from on high has
appeared, none of your hopes are realised. Your labours, your efforts, your
prayers are fruitless; you begin to fear lest you have been the victim of an
illusion or have taken for inspiration what was but a dream.
Ah no, it was no dream! At
the moment when you least expect it, and when, like a second Tobias, you look
but for death, the promised grace will be bestowed, light will come, and the
star shall shine for you as it shone for the Magi, the Angel will return and
announce that Herod is no more, that the obstacle which has hitherto rendered
your project futile has now disappeared. All that was foreshown you is
accomplished. Watchword. Cease not work, success will come in God's good time.
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