On the first of May, workers all over the world join hands to strength their unity and to celebrate their solidarity. But the unity and solidarity of workers, as we know, could become political and oppressive if it is not deeply rooted in the brotherhood of man. And it is to give such a solidarity, that the Eucharist invites us to bring the fruits of our work to share with all men. To the Eucharist, all men without distinction and discrimination are called, to sit at the same table, so that men may feel deeply the one origin and the one destiny of all-the one Father who has called us to His kingdom of equality, freedom and brotherhood. And in St. Joseph, the humble carpenter of Nazareth church, a model and example of a worker who could inspire and guide the world of workers.
If we look into the Gospels, St. Joseph speaks to us more by his work than by words. Let us see what Joseph does – Three times he is summoned from sleep to save Mary and Jesus from painful or dangerous situation. And when Jesus was lost in the temple, he had the hard task of searching for Jesus. Once in Nazareth, he disappeared into the anonymity of routine work.
It is true that we do not find saints who have lived the life of a modern worker. Evidently Joseph is far removed from our situation of techniques and trade unionism. True that we are not celebrating the feast of Joseph because he is the model of a modern worker; but it is true to say that Joseph is a worker who toiled according to God’s purpose in his life; and we celebrate him today because he lived up to the dignity of work and discovered the meaning of his vocation as a worker.
This is the work-both dignified and painful, creative and destructive, liberating and enslaving, transforming and disfiguring – which Christ took up as He worked with Joseph, and which He made Salvific.
When we call Joseph the patron of workers, we mean to say that he worked with the spirit of Jesus as God wills man to work, i.e making work a way to salvation, urged by the love of Mary and Jesus, and inspired by faith to fulfil God’s plan for him. Joseph worked hard, remaining hidden, humble and courageous, faithful and persevering. His was a labour of love – a love free from self-seeking and search after gain. remaining hidden, humble and courageous, faithful and persevering. His was a labour of love – a love free from self-seeking and search after gain.
Therefore, it is the Spirit operative in the work of Joseph that is a challenge to us today – his fidelity to work, his honesty to work, his responsibility in working for others, his unobtrusiveness. All this is an invitation to us to realise our dignity as workers and to find the meaning of God’s plan in our life.
Today when workers are tempted to misuse their power and to exploit the economy of the country, St. Joseph challenges us to sincere work. When workers are seeking more to pay and less work, when white collar jobs are sought after at the expense of hard and basic work, in short when selfishness is eating away our dignity of labour, the life of St. Joseph fill us with courage to undertake dedicated work with honesty. May St. Joseph help us to resolve to work hard, to work with love, so that our work may become fruitful in service.
HAPPY FEAST
Sisters (St. Joseph Convent )
Aquem – Alto