Today, May 1st, is the Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker. On this day the Catholic Church is reminded of the dignity of every human’s work, whether at home, in an office, shop/store, or in a field or factory. Anywhere work is done. And we are grateful that we join in God’s work with all that we do.
St. Joseph was the earthly father of Jesus our Savior. He taught Jesus carpentry, his trade, and one that Jesus must have done for many years as his earthly ministry did not begin until Jesus was about 30 years old. That’s a long time. We’re not sure when Joseph was called Home but it was definitely before Jesus became a public figure. Most probably before the Wedding Feast at Cana.
While he never says much in the Gospel accounts, we know he was a righteous man who followed the Law of Moses; Joseph was a man of very strong faith. In 1955 Pope Pius XII made this a day to celebrate Joseph, the worker, in response to the Communist’s May Day celebration. Communists had left God behind and the dignity and worth of work in conjunction with God’s holy work, to glorify God, were not any part of their observance. The Church will not let humanity’s efforts ever be divorced from the will of God and the holiness of human work.
I couldn’t say this any better than Franciscan Media so I share this quote from their website here: “This silent saint, who was given the noble task of caring and watching over the Virgin Mary and Jesus, now cares for and watches over the Church and models for all the dignity of human work.”
Thank you, St. Joseph, for your humble and strong presence and influence in the life of Jesus and Mary. Pray for us.
Drowning in Lemonade 