24th Meditation.
"And
coming, He dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which
was said by the prophets, that He should be called a Nazarite."
-Saint Matthew ii. 23.
Even here on earth we may
hope for happiness. But it must be purchased by long and painful trials, and
tempered by the expectation of others, not less bitter and not less certain to
arrive. Nevertheless, whatever happens, if, like Saint Joseph, you have Jesus
and Mary with you, you will be happy. Picture to yourself Saint Joseph in
Nazareth. His life is calm, simple, and uniform; laborious, it is true, hard,
rough, and never free from solicitude, for to-morrow's bread depends on the
labour of to-day. Still sufficient to the day is the evil thereof, and work is
sweet when it is for Jesus, and with Jesus that it is done.
Who shall recount the charm
of that home in Nazareth? Listen to the questions the Divine Child addresses to
His Mother and to His adopted father. Note the wise and modest replies of Mary
and of Saint Joseph, and their sweet satisfaction at sight of the respectful
approval with which their words are greeted by the Holy Child.
In these discourses little is
said, much is heard; they listen intently to that inner voice which echoes to
the outer word.
Let us seek even here below
that calm, peace, and tranquillity which are a foretaste of heaven, and make a
paradise of earth. In thoughts and heart let us live with Jesus, Mary, and
Joseph, and there, even amid trials, labour, and care, we shall enjoy that
peace which the world cannot give, which the world does not know, that peace
which nostorm can disturb, and which emanates from the presence of Jesus, of
Mary, and of Joseph.
Watchword.-Let your life and
conversation be with the Holy Family.
24. Confession made good, thanks to
Saint Joseph.
A young woman, having
unhappily broken her vow of chastity, had not the courage to confess it; and
with the profanation of the sacraments, her life became one of torment and
remorse. She at last resolved to have recourse to Saint Joseph, and during nine
days devoutly recited the hymn and prayer to the Saint. The novena ended, her
false shame vanished, and, as she expressed herself in a letter to Perè de
Barry: "Far from being painful, her confession was a real happiness."
She adds: "Convinced by this experience of the power and goodness of Saint
Joseph, I resolved to wear his medal night and day, and from that moment I have
been enabled to resist every impure temptation, and have received favours so
innumerable that I know not how adequately to express my gratitude."
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