Day 28 - Little Month of St. Joseph

 

28th Meditation.

"And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions."
- Saint Luke ii. 45, 46.

 

Return to Jerusalem, enter the temple, have recourse to prayer, and you will find Jesus. But you must also seek and act. Joseph and Mary return to Jerusalem, but even on their way they do not relax in their search for the Divine Child.

At last they find Him. Ah! with what astonishment is Joseph overwhelmed. He has, by keeping silence, veiled the divinity of Jesus, and now, behold the Divine Child betrays Himself by the surprising wisdom of His questions and His replies.

Such circumstances as these are rare, and must serve as preceding only in obedience to inspiration or a special comman and then only if the glory of God requires it. Our habitual inclination should be to the quiet and retirement of a hidden life. As soon as Joseph and Mary appear, Jesus quits His astonished audience and rejoins His mother and His adopted father.

What tongue can tell their joy at hearing again the sweet dear voice of the Divine Child, and beholding His loving gaze! Who shall tell their consolation when they behold Him quit all to join them, thus showing that they were dearer to Him than all aught else on earth!

Let us be persistent in our search, unwearied in our entreaties, then shall we, in answer to our prayers, find Jesus in Jerusalem, in the temple, in the midst of the doctors. He withdraws but for a time, in order to teach and prove us. Watchword. To action, join prayer.

28. Saint Joseph and Prayer.

A poor religious was unable to meditate without being assailed by the most violent distractions. She had recourse to Saint Joseph, and her troubles ceased. Whenever she contemplated the perfections of the holy patriarch, she was lost in admiration, her slightest wish was granted; for instance, did she desire to rise earlier than usual, she had only to ask Saint Joseph's help, and she would awake at the desired time.

 

Day 27 - Little Month of St. Joseph

 

27th Meditation.

"And thinking that He was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance." - Saint Luke ii. 44.

 

Joseph and Mary seek for Jesus at first among their friends and acquaintance. This was a natural thing to do, and they were right in hoping to find Him there. Are you afflicted? Seek consolation among your friends and acquaintance. Nothing is more natural, nothing more reasonable; and therefore, save in case of a special interposition of Providence, nothing is more in conformity with the divine will. In acting thus you will frequently meet with the consolation of which you stand in need, but not always so, for at times your hopes will be frustrated. God wills us to act in accordance with the rules of human prudence, and to employ all natural means; then, when we have fulfilled our part, inspiration and light will come to direct us in the right way, and enable us to accomplish our desires.

Watchword. Help yourself, and God will help you.

27. Saint Joseph and the Gift of Prayer.

Père de Barry mentions an instance of a young woman who, finding great difficulty in prayer, made a novena to Saint Joseph, and from that time found great consolation in the sacred exercise.

The same father adds: "I have met with souls so closely united to God that, whatever their occupation, they never lose sight of the divine presence. I have asked, Whence came this grace? and one and all have given me the same reply-"We owe it to Saint Joseph."

 

Day 26 - Little Month of St. Joseph

 

26th Meditation.

“And when He was twelve years old, they going up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the Feast, and having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and His parents knew it not."
Saint Luke ii. 42, 43.

 

And His parents knew it not! Of what were Mary and Joseph thinking Of Jesus. Most likely that, in accordance with the usual custom, Joseph was in company of the men and Mary in that of the women. The age of Jesus would admit His travelling with either party. Joseph thought that the Child was with Mary, and Mary imagined Him with Joseph.

Why, then, did the Divine Child take advantage of this circumstance, and cause His parents such poignant grief? First, He wished to afford them an opportunity of evincing the depth of their love. He Himself will give the second reason. Often, without fault of ours, Jesus hides Himself from our sight. He leaves us alone; we remain indifferent to prayer, and void of energy in His service. A vague and indefinable disquietude possesses us. Let us not be cast down. The greatest saints have all, even as Joseph and Mary, passed through the same trial. Watchword. In the hour of trial, fear not.

 

 

26. Conversion due to Saint Joseph.

A young man who had been to Paris to perfect himself in his trade, returned home, having lost both faith and health. His mother and his sister pray earnestly for his conversion. The month of Saint Joseph arrives, and an oratory is prepared in honour of the Saint. The young freethinker asks his sister the reason of these preparations. She replies, "It is the month of Saint Joseph, and we are going to pray for your conversion." The youth began to laugh, but remained listening to the reading which formed part of the devotions, then, uncovering his head, he exclaimed, "Ah, my poor sister, how miserable I am! What a wretch I have become, for I no longer know how to pray! Teach me, for I wish to live as a Christian." The wish was soon complied with, and the genuineness of the young man's conversion was evident in the patience with which he endured the acute suffering of a fatal disease, which he accepted in expiation of his faults, and which after a few months conducted him to heaven.

 

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.

 

Day 24 - Little Month of St. Joseph

 

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."

 

Day 22 - Little Month of St. Joseph

 

22nd Meditation.

"And Joseph arose, and took the Child and His Mother, and came into Israel."
-Saint Matthew ii. 12.

 

Here is another proof of Joseph's obedience. The Angel has spoken, and Joseph instantly complies with prompt and unquestioning obedience.

Each word of the narrative corresponds to some part of the Angel's message. It is with the return as with the departure; perfect conformity in the conduct of Joseph to the commands of the Angel. Surge. Qui consurgens. Arise. Joseph arises.Accipe puerum et matrem ejus. Accepit puerum et matrem ejus. Take the Child and His Mother. He takes the Child and His Mother. Vade in terram Israel. Et venit in terram Israel. Go into the land of Israel. And he goes to the land of Israel.

This last fact is recorded in few words, but the journey into Egypt was full of trouble and hardship. Few words suffice to record the latter fact, and yet if the Flight into Egypt was marked by pain and hardship, the Return must have been doubly so. Whether the Holy Family remained in Egypt for three or, as some say, seven years, so long a journey must have been equally trying to a child who, if but three years of age, was too feeble to walk and too heavy to be carried for any length of time, and who, if as old as seven, would still be incapable of travelling fast or far.

Let us follow Joseph on this painful journey. His devotedness is inexhaustible, and his patience and serenity are equally so. Forgetful of self, he thinks only of the Mother and the Child: Accepit puerum et matrem ejus. The way was long, and seemed interminable, but it ends at last: Et venit in terram Israel.

If Joseph is the protector and patron of those who are in difficulty, he is also their example, for, having experienced all kinds of embarrassment, he knows how to compassionate. Let us then have recourse to him whenever we have obstacles to encounter or difficulties that appear insurmountable.

Quod possibilitas nostra non obtinet. It is the Church herself who bids us, in such cases, have recourse to the Holy Patriarch. Following his example, let us persevere on our way, and our goal will be attained!

In face of impossibilities, do what you can and God will do the rest.

22. The Chapel of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Two travellers from Paris, husband and wife, arrived at the Noviciate of the Little Sisters of the Poor at La Tour. They were deeply moved by the welcome they received and by the poverty that reigned in the House. The chapel struck them most forcibly; it was too small even to hold the novices, but it contained a small statue of Saint Joseph, to whom the Sisters had recourse for the funds necessary to construct a more convenient edifice. The travellers had just paid their devotions at the shrine of the Saint, when one of them said to the other: "While kneeling here an idea has struck me." -" And me also." "We are rich."-"That is true." "We have no children."-"Alas! none."-" What if we build on this spot a chapel in honour of Saint Joseph ?"-"The same thought has struck me." The idea was carried out, and at the present day, thanks to the generosity of M. and Mme. Féburier, the Little Sisters of La Tour possess a beautiful church.

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.