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February 23rd: The Youth of Jesus
When Jesus returned with His parents to the
cottage at Nazareth, we are expressly told that He
was subject to them. This subjection to His
earthly parents was in no way binding on Jesus
Christ. He could not, in virtue of His Divine
Nature, be bound to any subjection to any creature
that He had made. But He took this subjection
upon Himself, in order that we might learn
that the highest kind of life on earth is one of
voluntary subjection. It is this that gives to religious
life its value in the sight of God. It is a
reproduction of the life that the Son of God lived
in the cottage at Nazareth. Jesus lived in subjection during those years that witness the passage from boyhood to youth. and from youth to manhood. For most, that time is one of a dangerous love of independence. How many a sorrowing mother grieves over the increasing tendency of her boy to resent her control, and laments those early days of his docile childhood. In those times of bitter disappointment, what can the poor mother do better than turn to that Mother whose Son was always a pattern of perfect obedience, and pray her to help and console her in those dark hours? How many a son, when he looks back finds among his most poignant regrets his unkindness and disobedience to his mother. How often he brought sorrow to her fond heart. How different his conduct to her from that of the Son of God to His Holy Mother. Pray God to forgive you if you have anything of this sort to reproach yourself with. Try and repair your unkindness by present tenderness, or by many prayers in her behalf.
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! |