GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 1ST MAY 2017
MEMORIAL OF ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER
FIRST READING: Genesis 1:26-2:3
PSALM: Psalm 89:2-4, 12-14, 16
GOSPEL: Matthew 13:54-58
THEME: ST. JOSEPH – A MODEL FOR ALL WORKERS
As the world celebrates today “International Workers’ Day” (May Day), the Church presents to us St. Joseph, the husband of Mary, as a “model and patron of workers”. This memorial was established by Pope Pius XII. As we reflect on the life of St. Joseph, we also celebrate all workers and the role that they play in the growth of any economy.
St. Joseph was a simple carpenter, an understanding husband and a responsible foster father. The defining character of St. Joseph was his deep relationship with God. The Scriptures refer to him as “a righteous man” (Mt. 1:19). His conscious relationship with God had an impact in all the decisions that he made and consequently he bore good fruits in his life.
The call to bear fruits is a universal one. In fact, it is a mandate given to us by God as observed in the first reading: “God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth’” (Gen 1:28).
There ought to be no dichotomy between our faith and our socio-economic activities. In fact our jobs thrive best when we allow the values of our faith to inspire our choices and decisions at work. Our ability to bear good fruits is directly proportional to the depth of our relationship with God our creator. The deeper the relationship, the more fruits we are inclined to bear. For example, when one is in a good relationship with God, one would not condone corrupt practices at the work place. A person in a good relationship with God cannot, in conscience, be lazy at work.
The memorial of St. Joseph the Worker is a reminder for Christian workers to see their jobs as sacred and a call from God to be productive. May we serve the Lord with devotion both in the Church and at our workplaces.
PRAYER: Eternal Father, it is your will that we glorify you by the work that we do. Grant us the grace of diligence and commitment in all that we do, through Christ our Lord. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).