The Doubt of St. Joseph
I. Besides the parents of the Baptist, there was one other person intimately concerned in the mystery of the Incarnation, to whom it was necessary that it should be revealed: viz., the spouse of Mary. The method of its manifestation was extraordinary; it showed how various are the ways of Divine Providence, and how they serve to elicit different forms of human virtue. The knowledge of the facts and the explanation of the mystery were for a while withheld from St. Joseph. This constituted a trial of the most painful kind, one of the most terrible that could befal a just man. He was drawn different ways by anxiety and doubt, by kindness and sense of justice. Yet, in spite of a turmoil in his mind enough to disturb the balance of judgment, there was no loss of self-control, no precipitate action afterwards to be regretted, no indulgence of the sense of wrong, no bitterness or malevolence. He pondered carefully, he besought the guidance of God, and so he merited the interposition of the angel. See in this how God tries the just as if by fire. See how easy it is to be deceived by appearances, and how even that which is holiest is open to misinterpretation. Beware of rashness in judgment or action, and always ask enlightenment from God before any serious step.
II. Consider the conduct of the Blessed Virgin in this trial. The Eternal Father had favoured her beyond all creatures and raised her to an inconceivable height of sanctity and honour. The Holy Ghost had overshadowed her, and the Word of God Incarnate dwelt with her. During three months her life had been an ecstasy of divine contemplation and love, in the company of Zachary and Elizabeth. With them she could discourse freely on the mysteries of God, as prophesied of old, and now being accomplished. She left this retirement for the outer world, and suddenly in her cup of sweetness she found a drop of extremest bitterness. The source of her joy became the source of her anguish. The very intensity of her sanctity made her sanctity suspected. She perceived a change in the demeanour of her spouse, and divined its cause. She found herself the subject of a doubt which chilled her spotless soul with deadly horror. But she was faithful to the secret of the Lord and would not betray it in her own interest. She knew that He who permitted the trial could deliver her from it, and she would not anticipate His time. Here was heroic faith and resignation. How can you expect to escape misapprehension and calumny? It is even a mark of the elect and a special blessedness (Matt. v. 11). In the worst trials never lose patience, or confidence in God the deliverer.
III. When God had tried these holy souls in the furnace of tribulation which always accompanies His highest gifts, and when they had profited sufficiently by this opportunity for exalted virtue, He sent them a heavenly consolation. They had not taken matters into the hands of their human prudence and out of the hands of infinite wisdom. They had not allowed the hastiness of human passion to destroy by premature interference the merciful plans of Divine Providence. They had cast their care on the Lord, and He had care for them. An angel appeared to St. Joseph, and with one word of explanation, cleared away the intricacies and brought him light and peace. Thus it often is with ordinary men. The mysteries of religion, or the conflict of duties and interests, or mistakes of action, involve them in most embarrassing problems. Their best endeavours only make things worse. But, in answer to the prayer of faith, God can send a sudden gleam of light that brings relief, and shows a way out of difficulties, when everything seems hopeless. “It is good to wait with silence for the salvation of God” (Lam. iii. 26).
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