The inner life of the soul depends on the
closeness of the union with God. None of the
saints, save only the Holy Mother of God, was ever
so closely united to the will of God, as St. Joseph.
None so prompt in obedience. None so perfect in
patient resignation. From him I will try to learn
these means of drawing nearer to God. I must be
more pliable to the will of God, more punctual and
exact in obeying; more ready to submit to all that
God ordains. Thus only can I hope for greater
holiness, and a life more closely united to Him.
St. Joseph had a privilege on earth which for
all other saints is reserved for the eternal Paradise,
of being in the continual company of his God, of
gazing on the Sacred Humanity of the Incarnate
Word, of hearing from Him words of love and
gratitude, of drinking in delicious draughts of
heavenly delight from the words and looks of the
Incarnate God. His life must have been one long
ecstasy. If those who touched the hem of Jesus'
garment received an inflow of heavenly virtue,
what must he have received who nursed Him in
infancy, and bore Him the closest company in
youth and manhood!
How often St. Joseph called Jesus his dear
Son, and Jesus in return called him His dear
father. What happiness to him to have a right
thus to address the Second Person of the Divine
Trinity. What grace must have flowed into his
heart when Jesus called him father. Pray that you
may deserve to have Jesus smile sweetly on you,
as He so often did upon His great foster-father.