My dear brothers and sisters, peace be with you! Today, as we continue our joyful celebration of the Easter season, we are blessed with the memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker. This day invites us to reflect deeply on his role in Salvation history and, more personally, on how his life can serve as a model for our own journey of faith, work, and trust in God's divine plan.
Let us begin by recalling the readings we have just heard. In the first reading from Genesis, we see the beautiful act of creation—the divine image in which humanity was made, entrusted with dominion over the earth and all its creatures. God’s work in creation culminates on the seventh day with rest, marking the sacredness of work and the importance of rest so as to continue that work. Notice our Lord once said in the Gospels, “My Father is still working, and I also am working” John 5:17. For Who is it that sustains us, and guides us, and provides all things for his children?
Psalm 90 today echoes this theme, reminding us of the fleeting nature of our days and our need for God's aid so as to have success in our endeavours. The psalmist prays for wisdom, kindness, and the visibility of God's work through us, emphasizing that our efforts are meaningful only when rooted in God's grace.
In the Gospel, we hear about Jesus returning to his hometown, where he is recognized as a wise teacher and a mighty worker, yet also met with skepticism because of familiarity and a lack of faith. This highlights an essential truth: even the greatest among us—our Lord Jesus Christ—faced doubt and rejection, yet he continued to serve faithfully. Sometimes, when we try to live our faith, it is some of our very own family members who will give us the hardest time.
Now, let us turn our attention to Saint Joseph, the humble carpenter, the "worker" honoured today. Saint Joseph's life exemplifies the dignity of work and the virtue of trust in God's plan. As a craftsman, he used his skills to provide for Mary and Jesus, ensuring their safety and well-being. His work was not merely a means to an end but a sacred activity through which he participated in God's ongoing creation.
Saint Joseph teaches us that work is a calling, a participation in God's goodness. His labor was an act of love and obedience, done quietly but faithfully. Even in the ordinary tasks of carpentry, he manifested patience, humility, and trust in God. He shows us that our daily work, no matter how humble, can be an act of worship if done with faith and love.
Furthermore, Saint Joseph's trust in God's plan is a lesson for all of us. We may not always understand God's ways immediately, but we are invited to trust that God's divine plan is unfolding through our efforts.
Today, as we celebrate the victory of Christ over death and His glorious entry into Heaven, we are reminded that our work and faith are intertwined in God's salvation story. Saint Joseph's example encourages us to approach our work with dignity and to see it as a way of participating in God's ongoing creation and redemption.
In conclusion, let us honour Saint Joseph not only as a worker but as a model of faithfulness, humility, and trust in God's divine plan. May his example inspire us to see our daily work as a sacred calling, and may we always remember that, through our efforts, God's kingdom is being built here on earth.
May the peace of the Risen Lord fill your hearts and may Saint Joseph intercede for us all. Amen.
Add comment
Comments