OPTIONAL MEMORIAL ST JOSEPH THE WORKER, THURSDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER, MAY 1, 2025
- Olivia M. Bannan
- May 1
- 2 min read
Gospel
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
Is he not the carpenter's son?
The Lord hears the cry of the poor. To receive repentance and forgiveness of sin we must obey God, not man. God is trustworthy and speaks the Truth and to those who believe and obey, they will enjoy eternal life.
Beautiful, indeed, but all this came at the cost of a great Sacrifice.
Not words but actions. Our beloved Jesus left His Father, humbling Himself as a baby and entrusted His care to Mary and St Joseph.
Jesus is the climax and the thrust of salvific history. He chose St Joseph, a working carpenter, to safeguard Him, rear Him, and protect Mary, their home and His life. He shared in the divine plan of salvation. St Joseph, obedient to God’s will, did not question why me or refuse but instead, said "Yes". He gave Jesus a normal upbringing. He provided for the Holy Family. There is no more mention of St Joseph after finding Jesus at the temple.
St Joseph was a "just man" loving and respecting the law and showing Jesus the value of work. He shared his trade with Jesus, showing Him the dignity of human work.
St. Joseph was declared the Patron of the Universal Church by Pope Pius IX on December 8 1870. To further honor St Joseph, Pope Pius XII declared St. Joseph the Worker Memorial on May 1, 1955. This declaration coincided with International Workers' Day (May Day), and it was intended to counter the communist ideology that often associated May Day with materialism and atheism. By highlighting St. Joseph as a model of Christian work, Pope Pius XII aimed to emphasize the dignity of labor and its spiritual significance. (1)
God Bless You
(1) EWTN
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