29th Meditation.
"And
all that heard Him were astonished at His wisdom and His answers. And seeing
Him they wondered. And His Mother said to Him: Son, why hast Thou done so to
us? Behold Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing."
-Saint
Luke ii. 47, 48.
Joseph is here recognised by
Mary as being the adopted father of Jesus, and by His silence Jesus
acknowledges him as father, who exercises all the authority and undertakes all
the cares of the parental office. Joseph shares all Mary's grief, wonder, and
joy. The hour of trial is over, and consolation has arrived, a consolation
mingled with wondering admiration at the way in which God has made trial and
affliction redound to His glory and that of His tried ones. The joy is tempered
by some admixture of austerity. It would almost seem as if Jesus reproached
Mary and Joseph for their tender solicitude and anxiety at His absence.
Impossible that such could be the case. It is not a reproach, but a respectful
and gentle explanation, that Jesus gives. It is a child justifying himself for
conduct that at first sight appears so strange. Jesus seems to say: "Is it
possible I could have left you had not the glory of my Heavenly Father demanded
it? No obligation less powerful, less sacred, could ever have withdrawn me from
your loving presence: Nesciebatis, Did you not know it?"
When the glory of God
requires it, forsake all sacrifice, even your warmest and most lawful
affections.
Watchword. Seek first the glory of
God.
29. Success in Missions.
Père Antoine Natal, of the
Society of Jesus, had a great devotion to Saint Joseph, and published a book in
honour of the Saint. Unwearied in his missionary labours, he ensured their
success by placing them under the patronage of Saint Joseph, and offered him
daily homage by the recitation of a chapter of prayer he had composed in honour
of the Saint.
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