The Childhood and Youth of Jesus · Part 2 · Chapter 271

Repentant people unwittingly bear true witness. Joseph's words to them: The Lord does not look at a torn hair shirt, "but only at the state of the heart, and the condition it is in!" Joseph is warmly welcomed in the city by his friend. 3 August 1844

01] As Joseph entered the city, he saw the people running about in great fear and confusion,

02] and everybody cried: "God, the Lord of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has brought retribution upon us!

03] Tear your clothes, cover your heads with ashes and do penance, so that the Lord may have mercy on us again!"

04] Some of them pushed their way to Joseph and asked him if he too would not tear his clothes.

05] But Joseph spoke: "O brothers, if you want to do penance, do it in your hearts, not in your clothes!

06] For the Lord looks neither at the colour of the clothes nor whether they are whole or torn;

07] the Lord looks only upon the heart, to see in which state it is!

08] For bad things can dwell in the heart, like evil thoughts, desires, a bad will;

09] indecency, whoring, adultery and similar things.

10] It is better to tear such things out of your hearts, if they exist, than to tear your clothes and put ashes on your head!"

11] When the despondent Nazarenes heard this, they stepped back and talked among themselves:

12] "Look! – Who is this man, who talks like this, as if he were a great prophet?!"

13] But the Infant tugged at Joseph and said smilingly:

14] "You have talked well; that was just what these blind ones needed!

15] But now the earth shall be at rest again, so we can walk on without disturbance!"

16] Thereupon the family went to a friend of Joseph, who was a doctor in Nazareth.

17] When he saw Joseph, he rushed towards him, flung his arms around his neck and shouted:

18] "O Joseph, Joseph, my dearest friend and brother! How – yes – how is it that you come here now at this difficult hour?!

19] Where have you been for three long years?

20] Where do you come from now? What angel of God has brought you here?"

21] But Joseph spoke: "Brother, lead us to your house and give us water to clean our feet,

22] then you shall know everything, where I have been and where I came from!" – And the doctor immediately fulfilled Joseph's request.