Thought for the Day – 20 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
20th Day – St Joseph’s Seventh_Sorrow
The Loss of Jesus for Three Days
+1. It was obligatory on all Jews who were within a moderate distance of Jerusalem, to pay a visit to the Temple once every year.
In accordance with this law, Joseph went each year from Nazareth and Mary accompanied him. As soon as He was old enough, Jesus too, travelled with His parents. When He was twelve years old, He journeyed thither but, on their return, they suddenly missed Him amongst their fellow pilgrims. Vainly they sought Him everywhere and, with heavy hearts, they asked each member of their company, if they had seen Him. No, He was not there. Oh, what a bitter grief for St Joseph! How terrible were those three days without Jesus!
+2. Could it be through any negligence on his part?
Joseph’s motive for separating himself from Jesus had been a most unselfish one – that Mary might have the joy of His company.
Men and women travelled in separate caravans and children would travel with either. But perhaps. he might have been more vigilant. Anyway, he had lost Jesus and what could be worse than that!?
How different from us, who too often remain content with earthly things, with scarce a thought of Jesus!
+3. Joseph’s grief was increased by witnessing Mary’s sorrow. Together, they returned to Jerusalem, asking, like the spouse in the Canticles:
“Have you seen Him Whom my soul loveth?”
All in vain – for three days and three nights, no trace of Jesus! Those days seemed like centuries.
Joseph then, can sympathise with my desolation. He knows the terrible void, the joyless days, the weary nights, when Jesus is absent from the soul.
AnaStpaul 