Chip Off the Old Block

St Joseph the Worker 

01 May 2020

First reading                                                                       Genesis 1:26-2:3
God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground." God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth." God also said: "See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food." And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed. Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, God rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation. 
Gospel                                                                     Matthew 13:54-58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue.
They were astonished and said,
"Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?
Is he not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother named Mary
and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?"
And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them,
"A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and in his own house."
And he did not work many mighty deeds there
because of their lack of faith.

Reflection

By Pietro S. Albano

Back in the day, a son would have the same work as his father. If a father is a doctor, the son would likely become a doctor. If the father is an engineer, the son would likely become an engineer. If the father is a lawyer, the son would likely become a lawyer. If the father is a farmer, the son would likely become a farmer. In St Joseph's case, he being a carpenter, it would be obvious that Jesus would have been a carpenter too.  

In St Joseph's workshop, the God-became-Man humbly learned the craft of cutting, shaping, building, and installing materials made of wood. I would imagine how this father-son team worked diligently in that busy workshop. Thirty years under the tutelage of his earthly father, Jesus had a change of job: from a carpenter to a teacher cum doctor. Yet, if we take notice of His parables, He would use very down-to-earth examples such as nature. Where did He learn these? From St Joseph!  St Joseph served as the reflection of God the Father during Jesus' hidden life. As a reflection of the Father, St Joseph humbly, obediently, and faithfully worked hard for Mary and Jesus. 

Regardless if we have inherited our own father's trade or not, our own work is our way of cooperating in the very work of God who, as Jesus taught us, is our Father. If you are a doctor, you share in God's healing work. If you are an engineer, you share in God's work of designing structures and machines. If you are a lawyer, you share in God's rendering of justice to the oppressed. If you are a farmer, you share in God's work in cultivating the land. If you are a carpenter, you share in God's work as a builder.

St Joseph lovingly cooperated with God's work. If we wish to do the same, let's go to this great carpenter!

Prayer

Loving Father, we thank You for entrusting the care of the world to us through the gift of work. Through the example and prayer of St Joseph, help us to cooperate in Your work of salvation. We also remember in our prayers all those who are unemployed due to the lock down. Grant that they may find a job soon. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

St Joseph, Patron of Workers, pray for us.