Daily Meditation - Tuesday after Quinquagesima Sunday: The Holy Family
Excerpt from the book Growth in the Knowledge of Our Lord: Meditations for Everyday of the Year — Volume I
The Holy Family
“They had but one heart and one soul” Acts 4:32
I. Prelude
Let us enter silently into the quiet house at Nazareth, there to contemplate that which is taking place. We see Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
II. Prelude
In contemplating the Holy Family—perfect model of a religious household—let us observe all that may speak to us of the holy life of each member of it.
I. Point
The spirit of unity existing in the Holy Family.
What beautiful harmony we find in the family life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Three hearts—so pure—so holy—were united in loving, adoring, serving God perfectly. We first contemplate Jesus: His bearing was noble and condescending, His aspect kind, His demeanour sedate, His words were full of humility and peaceableness, He was continually attentive to do the will of His Parents; His whole Exterior forms a picture which we, as religious persons, should love to gaze upon. On the holy Face of Jesus there was never the least trace of anxiety nor trouble. It was a true index of that calmness and recollection which had such absolute possession of His Soul. Whether He spoke—whether He kept silence—at all times—He was gentle, kind, and thoughtful for others.
How edifying and pleasant would it be to live in our company, if we, each one of us, resembled Jesus; then we should draw souls to God, we should rejoice the hearts of those with whom we come into contact—And if we now turn our attention to Mary and Joseph. In her features we see portrayed the most angelic qualities of heart and mind. In Saint Joseph we observe a quiet cheerfulness, and assiduity in his work; both of them live in the most intimate union with Jesus.
The slightest cloud of misunderstanding never appeared to disturb the tranquility of their lowly dwelling, there were no vexations, no indiscreet words. Full of pure love, Jesus, Mary and Joseph formed a trinity on earth, which imaged forth the Holy Undivided Trinity of Heaven.
II. Point
The spirit of love which influenced the Holy Family.
Let us further meditate upon the admirable regularity and tender charity which reigned in the house of Joseph, to whom Jesus and Mary were subject, as being the head of this saintly household. What respect is paid to him; what deference!—and then what mutual care the one for the other, and sincere cordiality. We may readily imagine how the wishes and needs of one another were discovered—anticipated—and provided for; their charity being ingenious and active, and exercised with equal warmth of affection and calm unobtrusiveness.
Jesus loved His Mother, and the venerable Joseph:—the holy patriarch and Mary loved Jesus: and with what a pure unselfish love! So should it be in a religious community ; and so would it be, if through sentiments of respect and charity we were subject, one to another, in the fear of Christ. There should exist no other rivalry than that of being the most thoughtful for others, the most unobtrusive, the most gentle, the most humble.
If, as in the Holy Family, delicacy of feeling, and mildness of manner constituted the charm of our house, if piety formed its riches, and the good pleasure of God its happiness, if it were only so, we should find reigning amongst us, that gentle peace—that divine unity—that religious calm, which are infallible signs of the Presence of Jesus. Does He live amongst us?
Colloquy
O noble and holy Family, I could not grow weary of admiring thy perfections, so attractive do I find them! I see before me the perfect model of community-life. Discover to me and to all around me, more and more, the beauty—the holiness—the advantages—the excellence of this life; that we may strive to revive amongst ourselves the sublime virtues which grew so luxuriant in the abode of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Resolution
I will make it my delight to serve and please all with whom I live, imitating the social virtues of the Holy Family.
Thought for the Day
They had but one heart and one soul.
Prayer
O Jesus, living in Mary
O Jesus, living in Mary, come Thou and live in my soul; by Thy Spirit of Holiness, in the fulness of Thy Strength, in the perfection of Thy Virtues, in the power of Thy Truth, and by communicating to me Thy mysterious Graces. Deliver me from all the enemies of my salvation; and govern me by Thy Spirit, to the glory of Thy Father. Amen.
From the book Growth in the Knowledge of Our Lord: Meditations for Everyday of the Year — Volume II by Abbe de Brandt (Burns and Oates, 1883, Pages 15-17).