It often happens that a carpenter in coupling planks produces a cross.
That sometimes happened in St. Joseph's workshop; let me contemplate him there working with the Child to fill the orders of their customers as well and as speedily as possible. While they handled the wood, suddenly there was outlined on the bench the strangely foreboding shadow.
What did St. Joseph know of the future crucifixion? No doubt, in the course of the evenings at Nazareth, he questioned Jesus, asking Him to comment on one or other of the Prophecies. The Child gave the required explanation simply, saying what was necessary, and kept for Himself the harrowing details. But St. Joseph, who was well versed in the Holy Scriptures, penetrated beyond the silence of Jesus into the true meaning of the distressing texts which he read in the Prophecies or heard commented on by the Rabbis.
Jesus knew everything down to the last details. He came into the world to fulfill them, and nothing of that horror - the crucifixion - escaped Him. He was conscious of it at every moment. Later at Gethsemane He gave entrance into His soul to this agony which tortured Him - this agony which He had suffered all His life.
One who has a very delicate nature and knows he must undergo painful treatment suffers continually from the dread of the approaching ordeal. It is a great blessing for us that we do not have previous knowledge of our crosses. Jesus knew in advance of His cross and all that His cross implied. He needed all the support that His divinity could give to bear up under the perpetual agony of each moment of His life on earth.
Those beams which crossed and formed that instrument of torture are only another vivid reminder. What an agony to live thus In constant anguish! I, who know so little about suffering, must learn to bear my little crosses.
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Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
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