St. Joseph the Worker

May 1, 2017

But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working still, and I am working.”
-John 5:17

Meditation

Work is tedious. Work is a grind. It’s hard, long and can sometimes be laborious. Work. Is. Work!

At times however, it can also be incredibly satisfying. Accomplishing something good, worthwhile and beneficial for others can lead to a sense of purpose and fulfillment. One thing is for certain, we can work all day, all week and all year long, but there will always be more that we feel we must get done.

Today is May 1st, the feast of St. Joseph – the Worker.  St. Joseph is revealed in Scripture to be 1) a just man before God, 2) spouse of Mary and 3) father of Jesus. Those are his big 3.

The Holy Spirit also wishes us to know something else about St. Joseph’s identity – he was a carpenter. The Holy Spirit reveals his work to us and the Church celebrates this feast!

Amidst the daily grind of work, we imitate God in very tangible ways. First, God is the ultimate Creator, but he has given humanity the dignity to participate in his creative genius. We get to create things through our work. Second, God is the Provider. Through work, we are given the dignity to provide for the needs of others, especially our families.

So whatever you are, whatever you do, consecrate your work to God each day.

This only scratches the surface of what St. Joseph wishes to teach us. Together, let’s walk with St. Joseph and allow him to lead us to new
spiritual heights.

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Prayer
St. Joseph,
Mystery hidden from the wise and learned,
But revealed to the little ones.
Take me to Nazareth and train me in your ways.
Reveal to me Christ’s hidden face present in my children.
Unveil for me the love of the Holy Spirit present in my spouse.
Teach me to manifest for them the Father who is rich in mercy.
Help me exclude all evil from my heart and my home,
So that we might find union with God,
And experience his love, peace and joy.
Amen.