Thought for the Day – 17 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
“Joseph’s Obedience”
+1. No such questioning as we have supposed in our previous meditation ever occurred to St Joseph’s mind. His duty, his pleasure, was to hear and to obey. Not a moment did he lose. He roused his virgin-spouse and told her what they had to do and ere morning dawned, they had left Bethlehem far behind.
+2. Yet there was no hurry or bustle or undue haste in the preparations they made; no rushing to and fro, no impatience, not a movement but such as was calm and deliberate, modest and dignified. It is one of the marks of sanctity to have thus, under control, every look and every
action.
How can I stand this test When time presses, or my indignation is aroused, or my patience tried, am I gentle and peaceful and calm?
+3. Observe, moreover, how there is not a single word of complaint or of grumbling, no expression of annoyance or word of mutual commiseration. Each seeks to lighten the work of the other. How cheerful both Mary and Joseph
are Almost joyous. It is a trial; yes but, more for the sake of the Divine Child than for their own. Even the thought of what Jesus may have to suffer never destroys their peace.
O happy Joseph! O blessed Mary! make me more like
youselves!
AnaStpaul 