We
were struck by the beauty of the following text by Saint Bernadine of Siena,
read to us at the Second Nocturn during this morning’s Vigils.
This is the general rule that applies to
all individual graces given to a rational creature. Whenever divine grace
selects someone to receive a particular grace or some especially favored
position, all the gifts for his state are given to that person and enrich him
abundantly.
This is especially true of that holy man
Joseph, the supposed father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and true husband of the
queen of the world and of the angels. He was chosen by the eternal Father to be
the faithful foster-parent and guardian of the most precious treasures of God,
his Son and his spouse. This was the task which he so faithfully carried out.
For this, the Lord said to him, ‘Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy
of your Lord.’
A comparison can be made between Joseph and
the whole Church of Christ. Joseph was the specially chosen man through whom
and under whom Christ entered the world fittingly and in an appropriate way.
So, if the whole Church is in the debt of the Virgin Mary, since, through her,
it was able to receive the Christ, surely after her, it also owes to Joseph
special thanks and veneration.
For he it is who marks the closing of the Old Testament. In him the dignity of the prophets and patriarchs achieves its
promised fulfillment. Moreover; he alone possessed in the flesh what God in his
goodness promised to them over and again.
It is beyond doubt that Christ did not deny
to Joseph in heaven that intimacy, respect, and high honor which he showed to
him as to a father during his own human life, but rather completed and
perfected it. Justifiably the words of the Lord should be applied to him,
‘Enter into the joy of your Lord.’ Although it is the joy of eternal happiness
that comes into the heart of man, the Lord prefers to say to him ‘enter into
joy’. The mystical implication is that this joy is not just inside man, but
surrounds him everywhere and absorbs him, as if he were plunged in an infinite
abyss.
Therefore, be mindful of
us, blessed Joseph, and intercede for us with him whom men thought to be your Son. Win for us the favor of the most Blessed Virgin your spouse, the mother of
him who lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit through ages unending. Amen.
