THE HIDDEN LIFE OF JESUS AT NAZARETH
“And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And His mother kept all these words in her heart” (Luke 2, 51).
First Prelude: Picture the little house at Nazareth in which the Holy Family dwells.
Second Prelude: Teach me, O my Divine Saviour, by Thy example, the excellence of an interior and hidden life, that I may seek and find my happiness in the practice of it.
First Point
JESUS TEACHES US IMPORTANT LESSONS IN HIS HIDDEN LIFE
The God-Man, the Incarnate Wisdom, the Fountain-head of knowledge, Who discourses with a heavenly eloquence, Whose charming suavity captivates mind and heart—Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God, Who unites in Himself all goods of nature and of grace; Who came into this world to redeem and sanctify the entire human race; the Messiah, the Desired of all Nations—is now among men and they know it not. How easy would it be for Him to attract all, by intimating His divine dignity. But instead of this, He seems to be anxious to withdraw from public notice, by leading in their midst a life which, judged by appearances, is without worth or significance, a life which seems to be wholly unworthy of Him and His sublime mission. He lives in an insignificant town, in a workshop; earns His bread in the sweat of His brow, like the least day-laborer. Is it possible that a life fraught with such great expectations should be spent in so unassuming a manner?
Oh, the depths of the mysteries of the wisdom and the love of God! That Thou wert understood by all whom Jesus calls to imitate His hidden life! Yet, how difficult is it for this sublime doctrine of total renunciation of self, and esteem for a hidden, unknown and secluded life, to gain entrance into the hearts of men, even of those consecrated to God! Are we not tempted, when contemplating the secluded life of our Divine Saviour, to say with His relatives: “Manifest Thyself to the world” (John 7, 4), it is going to ruin, while Thou art doing nothing for its redemption! But Jesus answers us as once He answered His Apostles: “Are you also yet without understanding” (Matt. 15, 16)? You accuse Me of idleness and yet I am fulfilling the Will of my Father. Is not this alone great and laudable? You allege that I squander time, and yet I am instructing men, especially those aspiring to perfection, in the sublime science of the saints. I teach them to love seclusion, to be unknown and despised by the world, should Divine Providence suffer such trials to come upon them.
O my Jesus, Infinite Wisdom, I thank Thee for the lesson Thou teachest me! The obscurity with which Thou dost veil Thyself is a bright light illumining my pathway. In the light of Thy holy example, I see clearly the nothingness of all earthly goods. From it, I learn to seek God alone and to desire naught save His love and esteem.
Second Point
JESUS, IN HIS HIDDEN LIFE, IS A SOURCE OF CONSOLATION FOR US
How many years did Mary and Joseph spend in deep seclusion with our Divine Saviour! Surely, He must have been their joy and consolation, continually bestowing upon them marks of His especial love. With what joy may their eyes have rested on their beloved Son! How were their hearts inflamed in conversation with Him! How instructive and edifying was His example! O blessed dwelling of Nazareth! O miniature heaven on earth! What shall I say of Thy glory? When and where has ever dwelling harbored so much earthly poverty, and such divine wealth! Should we not learn to seek our happiness, our consolation and joy in a hidden life, in retirement from worldly distractions and intimate intercourse with Jesus? Let us esteem ourselves happy to be called to a state in which, as the Apostle says, we are dead to the world and hidden with Christ in God. Oh, the peace, the glorious liberty of a soul that realizes the advantages of such a hidden life! What wealth she can accumulate!
Mary and Joseph learned from the teachings and the example of the Divine Child, how to please God by the commonplace daily duties, more than by the most conspicuous works, which, though they excite the admiration of the world, are worthless in the sight of God. What happiness in loving God and meriting His love by conformity to His holy Will! Must not this conviction fill us with great joy? Why should we grieve over delicate health, mediocre talents, or an apparently insignificant field of labor? Everything in the life of our Blessed Saviour was ordered and regulated by the Divine Will, which circumstance constituted the superabundant merit, the intrinsic worth of His whole life. Consequently, the Will of God should ever be the sole motive of all my actions. O Mary, O Joseph, teach me the holy art of putting this truth into practice.
Affections: O Jesus, Thy hidden life teaches me what constitutes the essence of perfection. Give me grace to love such a holy life, that I may find happiness in communing with Thee. Renew in me the fervor that should accompany all my actions, even the smallest, prescribed by the Holy Rule. O Mary, O Joseph, ye fortunate witnesses of the hidden life of Christ, obtain for me the grace to imitate Him. Let me share the peace and happiness that reigned in your humble home at Nazareth.
Resolution: I will endeavour to perform my ordinary actions perfectly.
Spiritual Bouquet: “Love to be unknown and esteemed as naught, that you may have knowledge.”
Prayer: O Jesus, living in Mary . . .
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