Labor Of Love

St Joseph the Worker
1 May 2010


The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.


First reading Acts 13:44-52 3
The next sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of God. When they saw the crowds, the Jews, prompted by jealousy, used blasphemies and contradicted everything Paul said. Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly. ‘We had to proclaim the word of God to you first, but since you have rejected it, since you do not think yourselves worthy of eternal life, we must turn to the pagans. For this is what the Lord commanded us to do when he said:
I have made you a light for the nations,
so that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth.’
It made the pagans very happy to hear this and they thanked the Lord for his message; all who were destined for eternal life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord spread through the whole countryside.
But the Jews worked upon some of the devout women of the upper classes and the leading men of the city and persuaded them to turn against Paul and Barnabas and expel them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in defiance and went off to Iconium; but the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 97:1-4

Gospel John 14:7-14
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If you know me, you know my Father too.
From this moment you know him and have seen him.’
Philip said, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.’
‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip,’ said Jesus to him, ‘and you still do not know me?
‘To have seen me is to have seen the Father,
so how can you say, “Let us see the Father”?
Do you not believe
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself:
it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work.
You must believe me when I say
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me;
believe it on the evidence of this work, if for no other reason.
I tell you most solemnly,
whoever believes in me
will perform the same works as I do myself,
he will perform even greater works,
because I am going to the Father.
Whatever you ask for in my name I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask for anything in my name,
I will do it.’

Reflection
By Elizabeth R. Eguia

Today is St. Joseph the Worker's feast day and we also celebrate Labor Day all over the world. In most countries like the Philippines it is a public holiday. Labor unions commemorate this day by marching to Mendiola to protest anti-labour practices. But as an ordinary person, what is the meaning of this day for us? Usually, we are just happy because it is a non-working holiday and it’s another day to relax and enjoy. But kidding aside, have we really reflected on the real meaning of this day?

Colossians 3:17, 23-24 says “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ.” This made me reflect on the right attitude we should have towards work whether it is our office job or the normal day to day house work that we do.

Work with love in our hearts serving Christ and devoting whatever we do for God’s glory. It is not easy most of the times to think like this especially when we are caught up in this world, in our work, in what our boss will have to say. But I realized the importance of praying early morning or before going to work and asking God for guidance. To offer the day’s tasks to Him and declaring that whatever we do for the day is for His greater glory and not ours, nor for our company’s nor, for our boss’. And you know, He definitely guides me and my attitude for the day changes, instead of getting irritated I am still smiling.

Day to day I tell myself, I only have one boss and that is God and whatever I do I will make it well because it is my offering to Him, to thank Him also for trusting, guiding me, being proud of what I do in spite of my weaknesses. He raises me up always and that is why I love what I do and I offer all to Him whether I am just cleaning the house or talking to an irritated client.

St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus on earth, is a great role model of working for God. He has served God, Jesus and Mary with love and humility. He obeyed God without question and has been faithful to his job as a carpenter. He helped build God's kingdom by obeying God's will.

Dear God, thank You for the wonderful message You have imparted to us. May You continue to guide and remind us to work with Love and to do our best in what we do, offering it for Your greater glory, through the intercession of Saint Joseph the Worker, the patron of all workers. Amen.

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