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February 25th: Manual Labor of Nazareth
What was the chief external occupation of
Jesus at Nazareth? Not any employment that the
world esteems honorable, but the menial work of
a servant. By this He consecrated menial labor,
and made it something high and honorable. Hence
the Saints have always rejoiced in menial and
humble tasks. Hence too we should learn to
respect and never to look down upon those who
have to labor with their hands. How did Mary employ herself at Nazareth? Was it all prayer and contemplation? It is true that Mary's thoughts were always in Heaven, but this in no way interfered with the ordinary domestic duties of a poor woman who has to do all the household work herself. We fancy sometimes that we should be very holy if we gave all our time exclusively to prayer and other spiritual employments; but we should do better to remember that the way to sanctity ourselves is to do our work, however humble it may be, in the most perfect way possible, as Mary did at Nazareth. How did Joseph spend his time at Nazareth? He, too, teaches the same lesson of the dignity of a life of humble toil. If we had visited Nazareth, and been told that this village carpenter was the future Patron of the Universal Church, would not a smile have been raised by a supposition so apparently absurd? How is it then that men look on the poor and humble as their natural inferiors, when their life corresponds so much more closely than any other to the life that Jesus, Mary, and Joseph lived at Nazareth?
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! |