|
February 21st: Mary's Remonstrance
Mary's first words on seeing her beloved Son
once more were words of gentle remonstrance.
"Son, why hast Thou done so to us?" So Mary
spoke in accents full indeed of joy and gratitude,
yet still echoing with the tone of sorrow that had
filled her heart for the three days past, and in so
speaking, she taught us that such words of loving
remonstrance in time of suffering and desolation,
so far from in any way displeasing Jesus, are what
He likes to hear, because they are a mark of our
love for Him, and of our consciousness that without
His aid we never can bear up amid the sorrows
that befall us. "Thy Father and I have sought Thee sorrowing. "Why did Mary tell to Jesus what He already knew so well? Was it that she was ignorant that He could read the secrets of every heart, or that she thought that He had overlooked her anguish? All this she knew full well, but she knew also that Jesus loves that His friends should tell Him all their troubles. Do I show Him this mark of confidence? Our Lady, in the presence of the Jewish doctors, calls St. Joseph the Father of Jesus. How could she, when Jesus was the Son of the Most High? It was because St. Joseph was in every respect the true father of Jesus, save only that the Divine Infant was conceived in Mary's womb by the operation of the Holy Ghost. He exercised all the duties and rights of a parent, and was destined by Almighty God to pass as His Father among the unbelieving Jews. What must have been the unparalleled holiness of St. Joseph, who thus deserved to be put in the place of God Himself!
Music: The Shepherds' Farewell
from L' Enfance du Christ Op. 25 by Hector Berlioz
1. Thou must leave Thy lowly dwelling,
The humble crib, the stable bare. Babe, all mortal babes excelling, Content our earthly lot to share. Loving father, Loving mother, Shelter Thee with tender care! 2. Blessed Jesus, we implore Thee With humble love and holy fear. In the land that lies before Thee, Forget not us who linger here! May the shepherd's lowly calling, Ever to Thy heart be dear! 3. Blest are ye beyond all measure, Thou happy father, mother mild! Guard ye well your heav'nly treasure, The Prince of Peace, The Holy Child! God go with you, God protect you, Guide you safely through the wild! |