Saturday in Easter Week
by VP
Posted on Saturday April 26, 2025 at 12:00AM in Meditations
"Christ, rising from the dead, is our instruction at this time, that whoever pretends to be His disciple, ought not to lie buried in the grave of sin, but rise with His Lord to a life of grace, obeying the summons of St. Paul: "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall enlighten thee". No one can be a true disciple of Christ, who believes not what He teaches; neither can any one seriously judge himself His disciple, if he does not what Christ commands. He commands you now, O Christian, to awake and arise from sin. If you do it not, how do you belong to Him? For this end, the Church now calls upon you by confession and sincere repentance to purify your soul from whatever can defile, and present it a pure offering before God, if not without spot nothing that can render It may be easily known or blemish, at least so that there be you unfit to accompany your Lord. How near you are come to be this happy soul, if you consider yourself by St. Paul's measures: "If you are risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth". Not that a Christian is entirely to banish from his heart the thoughts of all worldly things. This cannot be in this life, where our duty in several ways links us to this world; but that our hearts be so possessed with the love of God, that using this world only as far as necessity requires, our great concern and solicitude in the main body of our actions may be how to perform the Will of God, and work out our salvation.
This is the method, and
these are the marks of a soul risen with Christ: and where these are
not, it is to be feared that the soul goes not beyond the ceremony of a
resurrection and repentance. Deceive not then yourself any more,
Christian soul; for you cannot deceive Him, who is the searcher of
hearts. If at this time you have thoughts of repenting, see that your
repentance be accompanied with a change of yourself, and with amendment
for otherwise, though Christ be risen, yet you can expect no part in the
resurrection of the just." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
Easter Friday
by VP
Posted on Friday April 25, 2025 at 12:00AM in Meditations
Women at the Sepulchre, Harold Copping
"The example of the holy women, who went to visit the sepulchre of our Lord, furnishes us with some excellent instructions for this time. They make a provision of perfumes: they rise early to carry them to the sepulchre; they think not of the inconvenience of going alone, and having none in their company capable of rolling the stone away for them. This difficulty occurs to them upon the way; yet they are not discouraged, but pursue their journey with a hope in Providence. Thus they go on, following the impetuous notions of a sincere heart, without regard to any of those precautions which human prudence might have suggested. And what is their success? They find the stone removed from the mouth of the sepulchre, they are assured of Christ's being risen from the dead, by two angels who appeared to them; and are ordered to give notice of it to the apostles. Thus have they the first news of the Resurrection; and by commission from heaven are made apostles of it to the apostles themselves.
Now, if we consider this disposition of their minds, it is plain that they had not a lively faith of Christ's Resurrection, nor in those words by which He foretold it, because they thought Him dead; but it being the trouble at Christ's death which made them incapable of reflecting or thinking of anything else, and they following the dictates of a sincere love, in resolving to express the honour which they had for Him in the best manner they could, Christ distinguishes between the effects of human weakness in them, and the sincerity of their love, in bearing with the one, and rewarding the other.
A like good effect will
those Christians find, who with a like sincerity seek their Lord. If
they are sensible of their wants, and with true desires of amendment,
vigorously undertake whatever appears to them pleasing to their God,
such a disposition cannot fail of meeting with blessings from His hand,
who cannot withstand the endeavours of a fervent and single heart, but
will show them mercy, in bearing with their infirmities, in removing
their difficulties, in perfecting their faith, and in giving light to
their darkness." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
Easter Thursday
by VP
Posted on Thursday April 24, 2025 at 12:00AM in Meditations
The three women on the tomb of Christ, by Irma Martin, 1843
"As the angel said to the holy women, who were looking for Christ among the dead: He is risen, He is not here; so the state of every Christian at this time ought to be such, that as to all wilful and affected sin, it may with truth be said of him: "He is risen, he is not here". The past time ought to suffice for sin: and now as to what remains, all ought to live to the will of God. This is what St. Paul says to the Corinthians: "You have been sinners, but now you are washed, now you are sanctified, now you are justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. You have been darkness; but now you are light in our Lord: walk therefore as children of the light." This is the fruit of Christ's Passion, which ought to be found in every Christian. This it is which the present solemnity of the Resurrection demands of every one in particular; and wherever this is not, those who have it not are not the children of God, nor have they any part in Christ. And the Resurrection of our Lord, which is a day of joy to repenting sinners, what must it be to such as obstinately or carelessly abide in sin, but a day of reproach and confusion, even a beginning of that confusion, which, if not timely prevented, will be eternal?
For where the mercies of a Redeemer do not raise up from the grave of sin, what can be expected, but to lie buried in sin for ever?
Wherefore, it being a
common interest to escape this confusion, it is plain that it can be no
other way effected, than by rising with Christ from sin, and beginning
the life of the new man. And because the weight of our corruption is a
general hindrance to this work, and the occasion of its being
unfinished, though often begun; it is our present duty to consider of
the means proper for carrying it on. And since this was the time of our
Saviour's beginning a new life, beg of Him to give a new life to all who
believe in Him, that they may begin such a method, as may give them
well-grounded hopes of rising with Him to a life immortal." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
Easter Wednesday
by VP
Posted on Wednesday April 23, 2025 at 12:00AM in Meditations
Sandro Botticelli: The Resurrected Christ
"The Resurrection of Christ is the accomplishment of Man's redemption. He died for our sins; He rose again, that we might be clothed with new justice, such as might establish us in a life of virtue, and preserve us from the danger of our own corruption. This mystery is the confirmation of our faith; that we shall one day rise from the dead to a life immortal; a life to which sin and death can have no access. The yearly celebration of it is to revive this faith in us, and to put us in mind of obtaining such an establishment in virtue against all sinful relapses, as may be a preparation for that unchangeable state hereafter. For this end the Church calls upon us to arise with Christ; and that as Christ, dying once, died no more, for that death had now no power over Him, so we ought to rise from sin, and sin no more. We are taught moreover, that we ought to renounce all ungodliness and worldly desires, and live soberly, justly, and piously, in expectation of the coming of our Lord; that we ought to seek the things that are above, and not the things on earth; and that thus only can we duly celebrate this festival, and hope to rise with Christ in the resurrection of the just.
The solemnity is great, and our obligation also is great not to be satisfied by dissolute joy or plentiful tables, for thus the heathens honoured their gods; but by putting on the new man, and
living as the children of light, sanctified by the Blood of Christ.
Christ was crucified that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we
might no longer be the servants of sin. This was the end of Christ's
sufferings, and it ought to be our great concern that this effect be
found in us. For to go on now in sin, if it be not a reproach to
Christ's Passion, is an argument at least of our having no part in it.
And what state can there be more miserable, than for a Christian to be
found still a captive to sin, after Christ has given His Blood to redeem
him from it, and establish him in the liberty of the sons of God?" The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
Easter Tuesday
by VP
Posted on Tuesday April 22, 2025 at 12:00AM in Meditations
Jesus appears to his disciples after he has risen. 1873 | |
"They being troubled and affrighted, imagined that they saw a spirit. This was the first effect of Christ's manifesting Himself to His apostles, after His rising from the dead. He presented Himself in the midst of them; but such was their difficulty of believing, that they could not persuade themselves that it was any more than an apparition. This their incredulity was necessary for establishing the faith of this mystery; since they required most convincing proofs to persuade them to believe it. This therefore was so ordered by Providence, in all the witnesses of this truth. The women that carried perfumes to His sepulchre, went with a persuasion of His being dead. The two disciples going to Emmaus, seemed disappointed in the hopes which they had once had of His Resurrection. The apostles, though prepared by the information which they had received, were not hasty in believing it. St. Thomas positively declared his disbelief, and that he would not believe, but upon evidence of seeing. Now though this was a weakness in all, yet it was permitted for our greater assurance. For had they shewn an over-credulity, their testimony might have been questioned, in a mystery so difficult. When however they give their lives in testimony of the truth, this renders them witnesses above all exception.
It is our duty therefore, to give hearty thanks to our Redeemer, for setting this fundamental article of our religion in so eminent a degree of certainty, that it equals and surpasses that of all other things in the world. For, the Resurrection of Christ being proved, all other articles are proved by it. If Jesus Christ is risen, then the whole Gospel is to be believed; then the Church is to be believed, which is promised in the Gospel; in fine, the whole Christian religion is to be believed, because it is all linked to the truth of the Resurrection.
But how far are many who are called believers, from imitating the faith of the apostles! While all profess a belief of an eternal life to come, yet in the usual methods of their lives there appears little or no influence of this faith. We see Christians so careless and indifferent as to the concerns of eternity, as to lay them by upon mere sloth and compliance; to trample upon the commandments, for running after trifles and smoke; to court the world and its applause, at any expense; to sacrifice all to fashion and inclination; to forsake the maxims and spirit of the Gospel, which lead to God; and follow quite other principles, set up by pride and corruption. Can it be thought of these, that they truly believe and understand what they profess? If they understood and believed heaven to be so much their interest, would they forfeit it so easily? Would the provision for a few uncertain years have the preference to a certain eternity; and the care of the body take place of the care of an immortal soul? Were we to see the husbandman more solicitous to preserve the chaff than the corn, then some credit might be given to this proceeding. But while the general method of all in their senses, is to make that the subject of their greatest care, which they believe their greatest interest, must it not be concluded, that either their belief of heaven is not what they profess, or else, that they are not in their senses, to let the most contemptible things of life have the greatest part of their concern?
Again, if they in earnest believe the torments of hell to be endless and intolerable, and that there is no possibility of relief for those who are condemned to them; would they not be daily watchful in doing their best for their security against this danger? And so if we measure the faith of Christians by the general practice, we find it to be very weak, both as to heaven and hell. Have we not all then reason to beg of Christ our Lord, that as at this time He confirmed the apostles in their faith, and gave them sense to understand the Scriptures, so He will now please to increase our faith, and give us a sense of what we hear, read, and believe; that our faith may be as fruitful seed in our hearts, manifesting itself in good works, and thus distinguishing us from unbelievers.
Grant us thy grace, O Jesus; and since thou hast
been so merciful as to provide us with evidence to raise our faith above
all question, grant that we live according to what we believe, and give
proof of our faith by our works." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
Easter Monday
by VP
Posted on Monday April 21, 2025 at 12:00AM in Meditations
The Pilgrims of Emmaus on the Road (Les pèlerins d'Emmaüs en chemin) - James Tissot
"They discoursed together of the things that had happened. The subject of this Gospel is a relation of Christ's appearing on the day of his Resurrection, to two of His disciples, as they were going to Emmaus. They had not yet a faith of Christ being risen. We hoped, said they, that it was He who was to redeem Israel: but now they seemed to fear a disappointment. However, such was their love for their Master, that they could speak of nothing but of Him. This is the subject of their discourse by the way; and while they thus entertain each other, Christ joins Himself to their company, though as yet unknown, and soon after opens their eyes to see the unreasonableness of their own fears, and to know Him.
It is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. Hearts possessed with God, speak of God: and where there is a solicitude for truth and salvation, this cannot be smothered, but will discover itself, either for the help of others, or in hopes of being improved by some new light. Mary Magdalen seeks her Lord, and not finding Him at the sepulchre, her uneasy mind speaks its wants, and makes enquiry of those whom she meets. These two disciples have their desires on their Lord; and they communicate their concern to a stranger, who presents himself on the way. And who is this stranger but Christ Himself, Who knowing their solicitude, answers the earnestness of their desires, in offering Himself both to Magdalen and to these disciples, and in being His own discoverer? So that they not only find Him by seeking, but even then possess Him, while they are looking for Him.
This is not an encouragement to discover all our sentiments or uneasiness of mind to every one who is thrown in our way by accident; for this cannot be done without great indiscretion: but it ought to excite in Christians a just solicitude for all that belongs to eternity, and to encourage them to manifest this concern, in conferring with those persons, whose charity fits them for being instruments of good. This method of conferring with others is particularly necessary for those states, which have difficult duties to discharge. This necessity is grounded on the general narrowness and weakness of the human mind, which meeting with the infirmities of constitution, as in want of vigour, weakness of memory, excess of some passion, niceness, sloth or self-love, or in want of reflection, is the occasion of many considerable branches of duty being neglected, and sometimes no more thought of than if they were no part of their concern. Add to these the general partiality to which we are subject, in our own affairs: and that though we study others closely, we see ourselves only by halves. From these heads, there will appear a necessity for all, in difficult states, to confer with others; that they may receive the benefit of other men's reflections, and by a communication of thoughts be helped to discover their oversights, and to amend.
For what condition of life is there, which has not many obligations, both as to spirituals and temporals? And are not all these subject to great oversights, neglects, and injustices, such as are injurious to God, our neighbour, and ourselves? And is not the infirmity of our nature such, that we go on very often blinded by passion, sloth, or interest, in such ways as are either dangerous, scandalous, or unwarrantable; obvious enough to others, and yet either not at all discerned by ourselves, or so little regarded, as not to be thought worth our care? And what is more effectual for remedying this evil, than frequent conferring with others upon our state? Such discourses will awaken and enlighten. They will raise doubts, suggest matter for consulting, discover the subtle workings of self-love, interest, and passion, and oblige us to make many reflections, and see plainly what we really are. Is not this motive enough to recommend the practice of these two disciples, in discoursing together, since it may be so much to our advantage, both of soul and body? Why then is not this practice more extended? Because few are really solicitous to do well; many are afraid of being reproved, and are unwilling to take advice of those who, they fear, will make them uneasy by freely censuring what they see deserves it. But they who will not make use of those means, which are proper for receiving light and visits from heaven, must perish at last in the darkness, which they love." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Good Friday
by VP
Posted on Friday April 18, 2025 at 12:00AM in Meditations
Mother of Mercy, Washington NC.
"On this solemn and sacred day, consider your Blessed Redeemer on Mount Calvary. Being arrived at the holy mount, Jesus is forthwith stretched out upon the cross. His hands and feet are pierced with nails, and with them fastened to the wood: and thus, with shouts and cries of the insulting multitude, He is raised up into the air, and in this manner He offers Himself a bleeding sacrifice to the eternal Father, a propitiation for our sins, and those of the whole world. Who can comprehend what He suffered here, in having His wasted, torn and tormented Body now stretched out upon a cross, His hands and feet fastened to it with nails; and then raised up with shouts into the air between two thieves, with the weight of his whole body now resting only on His wounds? Who will give us a heart to adore our Redeemer, and tears to lament His sufferings, and our sins, which are the occasion of them, and are the very nails, which have bored His sacred hands and feet, and nailed him to the cross?
The first words which our Blessed Saviour uttered, when raised up upon the cross, were: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do". Adore the charity of your crucified Redeemer. He prayed for those who treated Him with the utmost cruelty. This shows that it was an excess of love, that brought Him to this ignominious death, since He offered His blood for those who shed it. Beg of Him to open your breast to that divine charity, of which He has here given you so great an example, and to teach you the practice of forgiving all injuries, and even the worst of enemies.
They that passed by reviled Him and mocked Him. But He was pleased to suffer even to His last breath. We are sensible how great a trial it is to be despised in time of affliction; and yet contempts and insults are His entertainment in His greatest humiliation. Bless the humility and patience of your Saviour, who suffered all this for your sake from the hands of sinners. Pray that being His disciple, you may inherit some portion of His spirit, and then remember what is your duty when you are in affliction, or under contempt.
That the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said:"I thirst". How great must our Saviour's thirst have been, when He complained of that, after going through so many torments without opening His mouth! Bless your Redeemer for whatever He suffered in this His last hour, and beg that this His thirst may be the expiation of your intemperance, as likewise of all your niceness and self-love. Beseech Him on this day of mercy to give you a better spirit; that by the merit of His adorable thirst, all self-love may be moderated in you, and such a change be wrought, that you may no more thirst after the false goods of the world, nor be distracted with those vain desires, which have so often wasted your spirit, and taken your heart from the solicitude of more substantial goods.
About the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice: "My God my God! why hast thou forsaken me?" How great must His suffering have been, for Him thus to cry out ! This is the complaint of nature, which thus expresses its uneasiness under the cross, which the spirit had chosen. It is rather an instruction from the sacred mouth of our Redeemer, to put us in mind of the greatness of His torments, of the rigour of His divine justice, and of the cause for which He is exposed to this extremity. It is to lead us to consider and ask why He suffers all this. It is for the redemption of man: for us poor worms, wretched sinners, enemies of God, captives of hell. Blessed be this His mercy for ever!
And Jesus crying again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. Thus all is accomplished; the great sacrifice is offered for the sins of the world, in the death of Jesus on the cross on this day. Let it be a memorial to you; a memorial of the humiliations
of Jesus, of His torments, and of His death. Let it be a day of
thanksgiving, a day of humiliation, of patience, of contrition, and
penance. On this day, lament your Saviour's sufferings, and your own
sins; and do nothing on it, but what may be agreeable to the spirit
of an humble penitent and if anything painful happens, bear it with
patience, after His example. And let this be your method in proportion,
on every Friday through the whole course of the year." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
There are few saved in the sanctuary
by VP
Posted on Thursday April 17, 2025 at 12:00AM in Meditations
Giuseppe Passeri - The Cleansing of the Temple
"On the small number of the elect."
1. There are few saved in the sanctuary: The sentence of our Savior, recorded in St. Matthew, applies to the sanctuary as well as to the Christian life. It is a terrible truth. It is a dreadful idea. It is an awful reflection to make - that, of God's greatest servants and ministers, many will fall down, to their eternal perdition. This is commonly believed. Of all those who offer sacrifice on God's altar, and who labor in his sanctuary, how many are there who never had any vocation, who perform the work of the ministry, but who were never invited to do so by God? They came of themselves, impelled by human motives, entering through the window and not through the door, and if their lives be not changed as well as their motives, God will say to them in the end as well as in the beginning, that He never knew them.
How many are there whom God himself led by the hand into the sanctuary, and who have trampled on His heavenly graces in the holy place?
What use was it for Luther to have been made a religious when he violated his vows, and preferred his passions and his pleasures to eternal life? What value was it to Photius to have been gifted with great learning, and to have been made a prince of the house of God, if he used his great abilities, and his high office, to introduce the evil of schism and heresy; to tear asunder, as far as he could, the seamless garment of Christ; and to waste and destroy that vineyard which God had planted? What utility was it to Nicholas to be one of the first seven deacons, if he allowed the spirit of impurity to seize upon him, body and soul, and to lead him to his destruction? What a misfortune for Judas to have been called to follow the person and doctrine of his Divine Savior, and to have been made an apostle by his side, when he, for the love of money, sold the life blood of his Master, and consummated his iniquity by the destruction of himself? How many are there who have been called to high places, in whose hands have been placed the graces and the treasures of heaven, who have been made rulers in Israel and princes among the people of God, and whose lives are not in accordance with their office, and who despising the graces of God neglect and betray the sacred interests which are committed to their care? How true is it of them that they have been called and that they are not chosen?
Hear the sentiments of St. Chrysostom, one of the wisest and greatest saints of the Church, and one who does not express himself lightly or rashly on this important subject: "Non temere dico, sed ut affectus sum, sentio. Non arbitror inter Sacerdotes, plurimos ess qui salvi fiant; sed multo plures qui pereant. In Causa est qui res ista excelsum requirit animum." And hear also the words which are pronounced by the great St. Augustine upon those who undertake the sacred office, and who discharge its duties in a manner which is careless before God, and flattering to the world: "Nihil esse in hac vita, et maxime hoc tempore, facilius et laetis et hominibus acceptabilius Episcopi aut Prebyteri aut Diaconi Officio, si perfunctorie atque adulatorie res agatur, sed nihil apud Dum miserius, et tristius, et damnablius."
2. Reasons why so few are saved: One of the great reasons why there are so few ecclesiastics saved is that their lives are not in accordance with the sanctity of their state. They preach the Gospel, but they do not follow it. Their state is holy, but their lives are not so. They have upon theirs lips the word and wisdom of God, but there is no holiness in their life, nor no love in their hearts.
Look at the live of Ophni and Phinees, priests of the Old Law, and see did they walk worthy of their vocation. They were called by God to serve in His sanctuary and to labor in His house. They were the sons of the High Priest, and belonged to the peculiar family which God destined for the work of the ministry. But though Ophni and Phinees called to the altar, they had not the virtues of the altar. They oppressed the people, taking largely of their goods and substance, and they gave themselves over to the most wicked vices. They had not the virtues of the priesthood, no more than their father Heli, and God took visible vengeance upon them all for their sins. They increase the number of those unhappy ecclesiastics, who, though called with the many, are not chosen with the few.
Secondly, many ecclesiastics are lost because they come to offer sacrifice and to pray for the people although the voice of God has forbidden them to do so, and His hand pushes them off the altar. Their fate is as certain as their presumption. What could they be in the house of God but "fures and latrones"? What are they but wolves in the clothing of sheep, wolves who ravage and destroy the flock of Christ? Do they no turn the Temple of God, which is the gate of heaven and the place of prayer, into a house of traffic, and would they not change the sanctuary, which is the seat of God's mercy, where He receives the homage and love of the people, into a cavern of Satan, and a den of thieves? They surely are neither called nor chosen.
Besides the want of co-operation with their vocation, and besides the want of vocation itself, there is a third cause which contributes to increase the number of those ecclesiastics who will never see the face of God. It is this, that the sins of ecclesiastics are greater than the sins of other men, and that the repentance of their hearts, and their return to God, are very rare and very difficult. St. Jerome says, "that if a monk sin, the priest will pray for him, but if a priest fall, who will entreat God for him." See what the Scripture (1 Reg. ii, 26) says with regard to those evil priests, whom God on account of their wickedness slew with the sword of the enemy: "Si peccaverit vir in virum placari ei potest Deus, si autem in Dominum peccaverit vir, quis orabit pro eo?"
The sin of the priest is peculiarly against God. The ways and workings of grace are more known to him, and yet with that knowledge he commits the evil in which his heart delights. What changes and touches the minds of others has no effect upon his. In the midst of the proofs of God's love, which surround the priest in the sanctuary, the sinful ecclesiastic loses all feeling of gratitude, and sense of shame. His faith has become so cold or dead that he cannot realize to himself the terrors of the judgment and of the justice of God, and if the Almighty do not save his soul by a miracle of grace, his eyes are blinded for ever, and his heart is hardened. Though he was among the called he will never be among the chosen.
Let us admire and adore the incomprehensible wisdom, and the inscrutable ways of God. Let us bow down before the goodness of Him who loves to exalt His mercy above His justice, and through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin let us beg of Him that our whole lives would be a continual struggle to enter by the narrow gate, and that we might be of those happy few who find it." Ecclesiastical meditations suitable for priests on the mission and students in diocesan seminaries, by a Catholic clergyman James Duffy, 1866
The Arrival in Palestine
by VP
Posted on Wednesday January 22, 2025 at 11:00PM in Meditations
"1. When Joseph arrived with Mary and her Divine Son in their own land, his first thought was to turn to Bethlehem, and to dwell in peace where he had dwelt so peaceably before. But to his sorrow he learned that the son of the impious Herod was ruling in his father's place. He was not going to expose to any risk the treasure committed to him, and at once he determined to turn his steps elsewhere. Notice his prudence, and beware of running any risk with the treasures of grace God has committed to you. One serious sin will lose them all.
2. Whither should he go? It was all one to St. Joseph, as long as he went whither God sent him. He was quite as ready to go to Nazareth as anywhere else, if God directed his steps thither. This should be my disposition, to be ready to go anywhere, and live in any place, where God may send me.
3. How did St. Joseph decide where he was to dwell? By prayer and by good counsel. He asked of God to turn his steps whither He willed, and he also did not neglect the rules of human prudence. This is St. Ignatius' advice: (1) Act with prudence, but never forget to consult God. (2) While you trust all to God, do not lose sight of the importance of using natural means."
Meditations for Christmas . By Rev. Richard F. Clarke S.J. The Catholic Truth Society, London 1891
The Return Home
by VP
Posted on Tuesday January 21, 2025 at 11:00PM in Meditations
"I. At length, when it seemed as if God had almost forgotten His well-beloved Son, the summons came to return to the land of Israel. An angel appeared to Joseph with the welcome news that those who had sought the life of Jesus were dead, and that therefore they might go back in safety. Those who are willing to wait are sure to obtain their desires. It is impatience and the restless desire for immediate relief that leads to so many disappointments. In the things of God, as in all else, it is those who wait who win.
2. How full of joy were the hearts of Joseph and Mary as they neared once more their native land! Like all the saints, they had an intense love for their country and their people and their home. Holy indifference does not mean that we have no natural affections for kindred and for fatherland, but that those affections are entirely subordinate to the will of God.
3. If the people of Egypt knew not that their God was dwelling among them, they knew that they had amongst them those who were the special friends of God. Mary and Joseph had endeared themselves to all around by their gentleness, charity. Patience, courtesy, humility, and thoughtful kindness to all. To them how terrible a grief was the departure of the Holy Family! Do I endear myself to those among whom I live? "
Meditations for Christmas . By Rev. Richard F. Clarke S.J. The Catholic Truth Society, London 1891