51. January 6

Meditations no. 45 (unofficial computer-aided translation)

The affection of the Family of Nazareth.

During these days which we have spent in the stable at Bethlehem, we have contemplated the mystery of God who became a Child, and who was given shelter in that stable, where, as popular tradition has it, an ox and an ass made room for him. Joseph tried to find better lodgings, a safer and more comfortable place, but non erat eis locus in diversorio. There was no room for them in the inn. St Joseph and our Lady had to make do with the stable.

It was not very much to offer their God, Mary’s son. If they had been able to, they would have given Jesus better treatment than had ever been given in the palaces of kings. But by way of compensation, there was love - charity - which is the source of true joy. The sorrow which Mary and Joseph experienced in not being able to offer Jesus all they would have liked, rendered their love even more pure, and even more intense, as they cared for him with immense affection. Referring to St Joseph, our Father wrote: I can imagine him recollected in prayer, lovingly protecting the Son of God made man who has been entrusted to his paternal care. With the marvellous refinement of one who does not live for himself, the holy Patriarch spends himself in silent prayer and effective service.

Later, once the strangers had all left Bethlehem, Joseph probably found a better place in town for the new-born infant: a small, modest house of some sort. And there they remained for some time, enjoying the peace and joy of a family life that was to continue later in Egypt, and then at Nazareth.

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. This is how the Psalmist expresses one of the deepest Christian aspirations of this season, to live in the presence of the Holy Family and contemplate the mystery once again. St Bernard says: God, to whom the angels are subject and whom the principalities and powers obey, was obedient to Mary, and not only to Mary but also to Joseph for Mary’s sake.

During the years of his hidden life, Jesus obeyed our Lady and the holy Patriarch as all good children obey their parents. In the small village of Nazareth, Jesus, Mary and Joseph lived just like any other family - a tradesman’s family. The only distinctive mark of that family was the love that reigned in their home.

Fraternal affection in our family life.

Consideration of the Word-made-man sets us on fire with love for God, and for the other members of the Work as well, because they are other Christs, Christ himself, and we love our Lord in them. That is what Jesus himself told us to do: Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.

Fraternal love is not distinct from our love for Christ. The two go so closely hand in hand that we cannot tell whether we are serving God or serving the others with our fraternal deeds. It is serving God twice over!

A major element in our own sanctification is the way we actively seek the holiness of those who are at our side. This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should love his brother also. St John tells us. Loving others means loving God, loving Christ who lives in them. And since Christ is perfectus Deus, perfectus homo, we need to show them not only supernatural affection - through fraternal correction, prayer, and mortification - but also human affection, through small things that help make their lives - God’s way on earth - pleasanter. That is what God wants for his children. We look out for their individual preferences, their tastes, what they like to talk about, and so on. We try to please them in simple, natural ways, without their noticing it.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. We can form such a resolution today from contemplating the mystery of Bethlehem. May we serve the others affectionately, helping them in everything. May they always sense the shield of an attentive, considerate charity, the bond of brotherhood, the basis of peace, a firm and enduring unity. May our Centres always have the family warmth which Jesus found with Joseph and Mary.

This fraternal charity strengthens and helps us, for the love which has Christ as its foundation is firm, unshakeable, indestructible. Fraternal charity does not fear sacrifice. May you put yourselves out, cheerfully and discreetly, making life more agreeable for others, making God’s way on earth more lovable. Such is the true charity of Christ. Let us live for others and forget about ourselves. To the extent that we do so, Jesus Christ will live in us. Fraternal charity leads us to holiness. As St John Chrysostom says: There is no better road leading us to heaven, no better way to imitate Christ and, in some way, to become like God.

Fraternal correction: the best sign that we care.

The Work is a large family whose bonds are supernatural. Ever since God called us, those words of St Paul apply to us just as they did in the home at Nazareth: None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. Our only concern is to be good and faithful, and to help other people to become saints, starting with those in our own supernatural family of the Work. And this need - which we all share - of being helped within the warmth of a family, has given rise to fraternal correction. With it, we help each other to persevere and become holy.

St Clement writes to the Corinthians: These exhortations by which we admonish one another are both good in themselves, and highly profitable, for they unite us to the will of God. The practice of fraternal correction is permeated with a supernatural spirit. We give fraternal corrections with love and a sense of responsibility, and we receive them gratefully and cheerfully.

When we are going to correct someone, we should have it very clear in our minds that, as our Father said, fraternal correction should be very refined both in style and in content, and we should realize that at that moment we are God’s instruments. When receiving a fraternal correction, our supernatural outlook helps us acknowledge our fault, and recognize the affection shown by the person correcting us. Without trying to justify ourselves or make excuses, we set about using the means necessary for improving. These include the general or even the particular examination of conscience, and the little reminders we think of to help us remember this point of struggle during the day. We also need to pray about it, and, if appropriate, talk it over with the person in charge.

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, the Holy Spirit tells us in Scripture. When we receive a fraternal correction humbly and gratefully, we experience the intimate joy of realizing that we are loved by God and by those around us; that they do not neglect us; and that they correct us not to hurt us, but with the desire of helping us improve.

How well do you practise charity towards your brothers, our Father asks, without silliness, without getting complicated about it? How do you receive fraternal correction? Do you practise it courageously, nobly, with supernatural spirit? Let us formulate a resolution along these lines today. By looking after the virtue of charity, we will help ensure that our Centres have the same pleasant atmosphere as that of the home of the Holy Family.

Let us ask Mary to help us give and receive fraternal correction gratefully. Our Father always saw it as a great means of formation in the Work, for it unites us ever more closely to God and to those who make up our supernatural family.