Joseph is that wise and provident servant, who was set over his family to
distribute to it the necessary food at stated times. He is the visible
physical means which God employed for the work of the salvation of
mankind. God chooses, it is true, humble instruments to accomplish His
holy designs, but at the same time He furnishes them with suitable graces,
that His work may be gloriously and effectively performed. Such a servant
was chosen by God in the person of St. Joseph, who was a humble and
saintly man. To him He gave His graces, for He refuses them to the proud.
We too ought to be disinterested and humble in the service of God, using
our natural talents to the fullest extent because they belong to God, and
have been given to us for the special purpose of performing the duties of
our vocation in this world. Disinterestedness and humility are the great
sources from which all good proceeds.
Prayer.
Holy St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.
Fifth Day.
All the saints were filled with the spirit of the Lord, and in consequence
they esteemed the virtue of humility as the foundation of perfection. St.
Bernard considered this virtue as the corner‐stone of the edifice of
faith; the perfection of Christian virtues; the tower of safety, into
which the soul could retire before the insidious attacks of Satan. And St.
Ambrose calls this virtue the first one, and the source of all other
virtues—all other virtues must be combined with humility to give them
value. To no other virtue does God give so many graces. Just because St.
Joseph thought nothing of himself, and lowered himself in the eyes of
others, did Jesus select him as His foster‐father. This great virtue of
humility appears in all the circumstances of his life. Though of the royal
house of David, still he did not disdain to labor at the humble trade of a
carpenter. He was perfectly resigned to the providence of God; God’s will
was his will, and he never repined at the trials God sent him.
Prayer.
Holy St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.
Sixth Day.
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