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Theology of the Heart: Teachings of the Saints |
Go to Joseph
Saint Alphonsus de Liguori
This
reading on St. Joseph was taken
from The Magnificat
for Thursday, March 19, Solemnity of St. Joseph.
Saint Bernardine of Siena
used to say; "There is no doubt about it; in heaven, Jesus Christ not
only continues to show Saint Joseph every sign of the familiarity and
respect with which he showed him during his life on earth, as Son to
father, but adds to them with fresh honors." Notice these two words:
familiarity and respect. The Lord, who on earth honored Saint Joseph as
a father, will certainly not refuse him anything he asks in heaven.
At this point we ought to
add that Saint Joseph had on earth no authority over the humanity of
Jesus Christ as a natural father would have, though he did, in a certain
sense, have authority over him as husband of Mary who had authority over
him as his natural Mother. Whoever has the right to a tree, also has the
right to the fruit it bears. Consequently, on earth Jesus Christ used to
respect Joseph and obey him as his superior, and it follows that Saint
Joseph's prayers in heaven are treated as orders by Jesus Christ. This
is Gerson's thought: "When a father prays to his son," he says, "his
prayers truly are commands."
Now let us listen to what
Saint Bernard has to say about Saint Joseph's intercessory power on
behalf of his supplicants: "There are some saints who have the power of
protecting in certain specific circumstances; but Saint Joseph has been
granted the power to help us in every kind of need, and to defend all
who have recourse to him with pious dispositions."
That was how Saint Bernard
put it; Saint Teresa confirms his opinion from her own experience and
tells us: "It would seem that God has only granted the other saints
power to help us in one kind of necessity; but experience shows that
Saint Joseph can help in every kind of need."
There is no doubt about it:
just as Jesus Christ wanted to be subject to Joseph on earth, so he does
everything the saint asks of him in heaven. When Egypt was laid waste by
the great famine, Pharaoh told his people, Ite ad Joseph! - Go to
Joseph! So if we are in trouble, let us listen to the word of the Lord
and take Pharaoh's advice; let us go to Joseph if we wish to be
consoled...Above all, I most strongly urge you to ask him for three
special graces: forgiveness of sins, love of Jesus Christ, and a happy
death.
This page is the work of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and
Mary
