In Communist countries throughout
Europe, May 1 was traditionally celebrated as the Day of the Worker. To put the worker in the context of our
Christian values, Pope Pius XII established the feast of St Joseph the Worker
in 1955, which we celebrate on May 1 in our liturgical calendar. We also celebrate St Joseph on March 19 in
our liturgical calendar as the spouse of Mary.
We know that Joseph was a carpenter, that he probably taught Jesus this
trade as well. The Church teaches that no
matter what work we undertake in life, we are to do so with dignity and in a
manner that allows us to contribute to both God’s kingdom and to human society
as well. We can find dignity in all
human work – no matter what kind of work it is – and we can lift that work up
for the glory of the Lord.
It is easy for us to see our work and
our lives as our own, to see what we do in life as our own efforts. But Jesus uses the story of the vine and the
branches to show how we are connected to him.
Jesus tells us that we are to abide in him just as he abides in us. Do we really feel that we are dwelling with
Jesus, dwelling with what we hear him communicating to us? Are we willing to bear fruit for him and for
God’s kingdom, rather than just bearing fruit for our own means and our own
pleasures?
As we think about St Joseph the Worker
today, may we lift up our work and our efforts here on earth to the glory of
God.
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