Day 23 - Little Month of St. Joseph

 

23rd Meditation.

"But hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judea in the room of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither: and being warned in sleep, retired into the quarters of Galilee."
-Saint Matthew ii. 22.

 

Simplicity does not exclude prudence. He who has said, "Be harmless as the dove," has also said, "Be wise as the serpent." Faith does not dispense from the use of reason. God does not reveal everything; and if He has endowed us with intelligence, it is that we may use it. When God speaks, whether by voice of His Angels, by His Church, or by the voice of a Superior, then the part of reason is to believe and obey. On the points where the Divine Will is not revealed, then we must have recourse to the light of reason. Obedience must no longer be blind but clearsighted. Thus was it with Saint Joseph. He learns that Archelaus reigns in Herod's stead, and in his simplicity and rectitude deems that the son may be no better than the father, and fears to enter a country under the jurisdiction of this prince.

There are persons who criticise, blame, and condemn everything; others who approve, excuse, and justify everything. The former lack charity, the latter are wanting in prudence; the former lack kindness of heart, and the latter are wanting in intelligence. It is true that our Lord has said, "Judge not," but Saint Paul has said, "The spiritual man judges all things." The disciple, inspired by the Holy Ghost, cannot contradict his Master.

Beware of judging rashly; beware of the spirit of criticism, for it is satanic and diabolical; but learn to discern the true from the false, good from evil, the wolf from the sheep, the true prophet from the false one, if not, you will betray faith, conscience, and Jesus into the hands of the false friend, the sophist, and the politician. After deliberate reflection, Joseph still hesitates as to what step to take, when the Angel returns, and a heavenly command terminates his suspense.

Though God only helps him who helpe himself, we must trust far less to our own efforts than to Divine assistance. The possible is for us to accomplish; God will accomplish the rest.

Watchword. In face of difficulty reflect and pray.

23. The Holy Family and the Society of Jesus.

Three novices of the Society of Jesus, whilst making a pilgrimage, lost their way, and though exhausted by hunger and fatigue, ceased not to pray and trust to heaven for help. Their hope was realised. They saw a man and woman approach, the latter bearing in her arms a child. "Come with us," said the strangers; "you have lost your way, we shall direct you, but first you must take some refreshment, for you seem exhausted." Saying this they shared their own provisions with the novices.

The repast was delicious, and heightened by the affability of the hosts. The novices, though overwhelmed by astonishment and gratitude, were anxious to know to whom they were indebted for such kind hospitality. Their curiosity was gratified when one of the three strangers said: "We are the founders of the Society of Jesus: Nos fundavimus Societatem Jesu." They then vanished, and the novices then knew that they were the Holy Family.