345 part ii: meditations for more solemn feasts Prepare yourself, therefore, for greater toils, for severer temptations, for prolonged isolations. Since it regards perfect beatitude, you must be continuously watching: in the first watch, that is, in the religious novitiate; and in the second, that is, after profession; and lastly in the third watch, that is, close to death when your life is coming to an end. 3. “But know this” (Lk 12:39). Consider, that the Divine Word made known, often with help of parables, the story of no small importance about the thief and the householder. He teaches us there that we should never be unprepared for the day of death. Since, as the very patient and wise Job testifies: “The life of man upon earth is a warfare” (Job 7:1) [DRB]; we must always remain watchful. This is what the heavenly Teacher asserts, speaking of the householder who would certainly deny himself the whole night of sleep should he know that a thief was coming to break into his house. Therefore, as it is proper for men to keep watch day and night so that they would not lose their temporal goods, thus you ought to pay attention every moment, lest you lose immortal goods and gifts, and so that death would not catch you devoid of merits. FOR THE FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN Before Holy Communion 1. “When [H]is mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph” (Mt 1:18). It is not up to you to inquire into the profound mystery of the virginity joined with maternity and the maternity with virginity. Instead, you should be overwhelmed by astonishment [f.107r] that this was done for your salvation. What is it? What does this mean? The Virgin remains undefiled, and yet she is a Mother; she has a Spouse, and yet she is a Virgin. Both the Husband and the Wife present the incorrupt
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