Day 25 - Little Month of St. Joseph

 

25th Meditation.

"And His parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch."
-Saint Luke ii. 41.

 

The Holy Ghost delights in recalling the adoptive paternity of Joseph: Et ibant Parentes ejus, his parents. The holy Patriarch is placed in the same rank as the Blessed Virgin, and this because Saint Joseph's feelings towards Jesus were the feelings of a father, and those of Jesus for Joseph were the affections of a son.

How admirable the simplicity of the Holy Family! Externally there is nothing remarkable to be discerned-Jesus, Mary, and Joseph fulfil but the ordinary duties of their calling. They do simply what all the faithful observers of the law do; nothing more and nothing less. In nothing are they to be distinguished from ordinary persons. They neither fall short of nor exceed in the performance of their duty.

How different is our conduct to theirs! We dream of ideal perfection, multiply our devotions, but neglect the essential practices of religion and the elementary duties of Christian life. We aspire to evangelical counsels and neglect the commandments! Let us beware of any inspiration that urges us to the accomplishment of anything extraordinary whilst we fail in the courage necessary for the fulfilment of the ordinary duties of life.

First let us faithfully comply with the requirements of the common law: Ibant per singulos annos. If God has destined us for some wonderful mission He will manifest it in His own good time. Neither let us seek occasions of sacrifice; God will demand that at the fitting time, and make it conduce to His glory and to our own. Watchword. Fulfil first the ordinary duties of life.

25. Conversion due to Saint Joseph.

A Christian woman had a daughter whose conduct was truly deplorable. The poor mother never entered the church without prostrating herself before a picture of Saint Joseph, and demanding with tears the conversion of her child. At last the idea entered her mind to present her daughter with a picture of Saint Joseph. She at once seized the opportunity of her daughter's absence and went instantly to her room. On the table was a book. But what a book! "Ah! Saint Joseph," said the mother, "forgive me if I place your picture here, but necessity compels me." The young girl on her return home took up the book to read. "Why, what is this?" she exclaimed, "a picture!" She looked again, then turned it over and began to read mechanically a prayer printed in verse. Then she burst into tears; threw her bad book into the fire. She was converted.