Ave Maria Meditations
Saint Joseph (says): “Mary! Let me spend my energy in the service of Jesus. It is for Him and for you that I work; this thought gives me courage and helps me to bear fatigue. And then, when I return in the evening, one caress from Jesus, a single glance from you, make me forget the day’s labors.”
He wipes the sweat from his brow, then sits down by Mary and looks at the Child Jesus. The Blessed Virgin puts Him on Saint Joseph’s knees; then his face takes on an expression of celestial joy, he presses the Divine Child to his heart, kisses Him lovingly and says to Him: “Little Child, how sweet Your smile is!. . . Is it really true that l, the poor carpenter Joseph, have the happiness of holding in my aims the King of heaven, the Savior of humanity?…”
“Is it true that I have the sublime mission of being the foster father to Him whose presence satisfies the ardent Seraphim and who nourishes every creature? Is it true that I am the spouse of the Mother of God, the guardian of her virginity?…”
“O Mary! Tell me what is this profound mystery?… The Desired of the eternal hills, the Emmanuel for whom all the patriarchs sighed, sits on my knees and He looks at me, His poor, unworthy servant….”
The Blessed Virgin (replies): “Like you, Joseph, I am astonished to be able to press to my heart the Divine Child whose Mother I am. I am astonished that a little milk is needful to Him who gives life to the world.” (after a long, contemplative silence, Mary continues) “…Soon Jesus will grow up and you will have to teach the Creator of the universe how to work…. With you, He will earn His bread by the sweat of his adorable brow….”
St. Therese of Liseux
