Today we venerate St. Joseph the Worker who gave his life to God’s will
Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker (May 1, 2021): GN 1:26 – 2:3; PS 90:2,3-4,12-13,14,16; MT 13:54-58
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Almighty God made each of us to do and be many things: children, spouses, parents, neighbors, friends, workers, and more. We need to honor and fulfill our different roles according to our Heavenly Father’s plan.
The Church salutes and supports those who labor everyday to support themselves and their families. As patron of workers, St. Joseph shows us that work has great value, but that the lives and dignity of workers are worth even more. Joseph raised Jesus along with Mary His Blessed Mother and taught Him everything most fathers do. That included what it meant to be a good and just man. Joseph also had the task of teaching Jesus the skills of carpentry and how to treat customers and others with respect. And Joseph surely demonstrated the need to balance time and responsibilities for work with those for family, faith, and community. Then, before our Lord began His public ministry, Joseph died. Sometime after Jesus left home to preach that the Kingdom of Heaven was near, He returned. But His reception must have been deeply disappointing. “Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, ‘Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is He not the carpenter’s son?’… And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in His native place and in His own house’” (Matthew 13:54-55, 57). The carpenter’s son. People who should have known Jesus best could not believe that He was more – much more than that. They could not see past their memories of a neighborhood boy. They expected Him to fit into the mold they wanted Him to stay in. There was no way that they could accept or respect Him as something, someone, else. In truth, He was the Son of God as well as the foster Son of St. Joseph.
Almighty God made each of us to do and be many things: children, spouses, parents, neighbors, friends, workers, and more. We need to honor and fulfill our different roles according to our Heavenly Father’s plan. That is what Jesus of Nazareth did. He is our Savior, our King, Son of God and Son of Mary. Joseph, too, had different parts to play during his life and he performed them all with fidelity to God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Suggested missionary action: We can ask St. Joseph to help those who have lost their jobs during these difficult times. We can also ask him to protect the lives of those who risk their lives to help their neighbors. St. Joseph the Worker pray for us!