Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/470

 Obedience (4th  Commandment). Until He  was  thirty  years  old, Jesus practised  the  most  complete  obedience  towards  His  Mother  and foster-father. He did  as  they  bade  Him; He  helped  His  Mother  in  her household work,  and  served  Joseph  as  an  apprentice  in  his  laborious trade of  carpenter. Meditate well  on  this:  Who  was  obedient,  and  to whom? The Creator  to  the  creature,  the  Lord  to  the  servant,  the  Son of God  to  man! And in  what  was  He  obedient? In everything. For how long? For as  long  as  He  dwelt  with  Mary  and  Joseph,  namely thirty years. And why  did  Jesus,  the  Eternal  Son  of  God,  practise such obedience? 1. That  through  His  perfect  obedience  He  might  make satisfaction for  the  disobedience  of  sinful  man. 2. In  order  to  give  a great  example  of  obedience  to  all  children  and  inferiors.

Piety. The  example  of  Jesus,  who  went  to  the  Feast  at  Jerusalem and remained  for  three  days  in  the  Temple,  shows  us  that  we  ought to like  to  be  in  the  house  of  God,  to  listen  attentively  to  His  word and the  expounding  of  it,  to  busy  ourselves  with  the  things  of  God and to  avoid  all  distractions.

Industry. Jesus  worked,  and  has  thereby  made  work  holy,  and taught us  to  work  willingly,  each  one  at  his  own  business,  and  to  be ashamed  of  no  kind  of  labour. Industry is  a virtue,  and  sloth  one  of the  deadly  sins.

Growth in  holiness.  Finally,  Jesus,  by  His  hidden  life  at  Nazareth, teaches us  that,  as  we  advance  in  years,  so  also  ought  we  to  advance in wisdom  and  grace  with  God  and  man. We grow  in  wisdom  if  we get  to  know  God  and  His  holy  will  better,  by  means  of  religious  instruction, sermons  and  spiritual  reading. We grow  in  grace  or  favour with God  by  good  works,  and  especially  by  prayer  and  a worthy reception of  the  holy  Sacraments. Grace or  favour  with  men  we  gain by brotherly  love,  friendliness,  gentleness  and  unselfishness.

Zeal for  God's  Glory.  Mary  and  Joseph  went  every  year  to  the Temple at  Jerusalem. Mary was  not  bound  to  do  so,  but  she  did  it, because it  was  a work  pleasing  to  God. The example  of  Mary  and Joseph ought  to  teach  us  to  be  obedient  to  the  law  of  God  and  zealous for His  glory. God still  imposes  commands  on  us  through  His  holy Church — to hear  Mass  on  Sundays  and  Holydays  &amp;c. &amp; c.

The Holy  Family  (Jesus,  Mary  and  Joseph)  in  the  house  at  Nazareth is  a model  held  up  for  the  imitation  of  all  families. Love, unity and peace  reigned  there;  no  sound  of  discord,  no  evil  word  could  be heard. The days  passed  by  in  work  and  prayer,  and  while  the  members of this  Holy  Family  were  occupied  with  their  labour,  they  raised  their hearts to  God. Towards their  neighbours  they  were  modest,  friendly and helpful,  taking  every  opportunity  of  doing  good  to  others.

The loss  of  Jesus.  Mary  lost  Jesus  through  no  fault  of  her  own; but with  what  sorrow  she  sought  Him,  with  what  joy  she  found  Him!