As our Blessed Lord was consoled during His
Sacred Agony by a vision of the fruits of His Passion,
in the happiness of the countless multitude
of the redeemed, so St. Joseph was comforted in his
sorrow for the coming sufferings of Jesus and Mary
by knowing that the reconciliation to God of souls
without number would be their recompense. The
knowledge of the work that Jesus was to accomplish
in enabling millions to arise from their sins,
filled Joseph's heart with sweetness and delight,
It is one of the marks of love to God that we
rejoice in the spiritual good of others beyond all
else. Can I say that it is my greatest joy to hear of
the advancing spiritual welfare of those with whom
I am concerned?
St. Joseph was himself to have no direct part
in the Divine work of expiation. Jesus was to
accomplish it, and Mary was to have her share so
far as mortal could. Did Joseph rejoice the less
because others were to do the work? Not a whit;
he desired simply that God's glory and man's good
should be advanced. How different am I, who am
often jealous of others where I fail, and take little
interest in any good work save those with which I
am personally concerned.
St. Joseph's joy at the fruit of the sufferings
of Jesus and Mary quite overpowered his sorrow
at the fact of their having to suffer. He estimated
things at their true value, and though he grieved
at the thought that God and His Mother were to
suffer, yet he counted it a privilege for Christ as
Man to suffer, that as Man He might receive that
plentiful and overflowing reward that God gives to
those who suffer for Him.