Saturday May 1

Fourth Week OF Easter

 

JOSEPH THE WORKER

 

Introduction              

To the people of Nazareth, Jesus was known as the son of a laborer, the son of the carpenter. Yes, God’s Son born in a workman’s family, and like the young people of his time, presumably helping his father in the carpentry workshop. The readings of today also present human work as a cooperation with the creative act of God: we are stewards of creation, to whom God has entrusted the work of his hands. Let us work as stewards of one another and of God’s creation.

 

Opening Prayer

Creative God,
when by your word
you had accomplished your creation,
you entrusted it to people
whom you had created in your image
and you said: fill the earth and subdue it.
Fill us with your Spirit, Lord,
that we may preserve the beauty and order
of your magnificent creation
and that like St Joseph
we take up the task entrusted to us
of perfecting your creation
in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

 

Reading 1: ACTS 13:44-52

On the following sabbath
almost the whole city
gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it
and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth.”

The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
and the leading men of the city,
stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them
and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4

(3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.

 

Alleluia: Ps 68:20

R/ Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed be the Lord day by day,

God, our salvation , who bears our burdens.

R/ Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel: Mt13:54-58

Is not this the carpenter’s son?

At that time, He came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house.” And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.

 

Intersessions:

As we celebrate St. Joseph today, let us being our intentions before the Lord.

–   Lord, we pray you for your Church. Let it honor St Joseph, its patron, through a responsible and dedicated leadership, we pray:

–   Lord, we pray you for those in public office, that they may lead their people with wisdom and justice, we pray:

–   Lord, we pray you for heads of families, including single parents, that they may be dedicated to their children, we pray:

–   Lord, we pray you for laborers who live by the work of their hands; may they do their work conscientiously and take pride in it, we pray:

–   Lord, we pray you for ourselves. May we be people who know how to serve and to live in our presence, we pray:

–   Lord, may the help of St Joseph help us all to serve you with love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

 

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord God, here is bread,
like the bread earned by St Joseph
for the family of Nazareth.
Turn it into the bread of life,
your Son Jesus Christ.
that he may keep us going
to carry out the task you have entrusted to us.
Make us look at all work, however humble,
as ennobling us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God,
St. Joseph served the Holy Family
by the work of his hands.
Whatever task you have entrusted to us,
help us to put our heart in it
and see in it a way to serve people
and to give praise and glory to your name
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Blessing

“Is this not the carpenter’s son?” Human, the son of simple parents who had to work with their hands to earn the food of every day. And Jesus with them. The creator earning his bread. May you honor and respect work, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

 

Commentary

St. Joseph the Worker

There are only three saints who have more than one feast day dedicated to their honor on the Church’s liturgical calendar: The Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Joseph. Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of St. Joseph the Worker on 1 May 1955 in response to the surge of atheistic communism after World War II. The Pope dedicated all the workers of the world to the patronage of St. Joseph. Honouring of Saint Joseph, the Worker as a true icon of human labour, was a source of comfort and strength for the labourers around the world.

Unlike the revolutionaries, Saint Joseph did not have his fist raised in anger at the Roman oppressors of Judea. He was not leading a mob of Zealots to burn down the houses of the ruling class. All his concern was to provide his family with food and shelter. He taught his child life lessons to care for the neighbor, to be compassionate and merciful. And when that child grew up, he taught the world mercy and compassion and love for God and humanity.

The Church calls us to look at Joseph and meditate on his life and the examples he sets before us. He reminds us that hard work and struggle for excellence are the essential ingredients to participate in the creative work of God.

Today’s Gospel presents Jesus being rejected in his own hometown. The reason? He is too familiar for them. He is the son of a carpenter! Ah, that was outrageous. Today, we would call them racist! The townsmen did not think a carpenter’s son is someone worth listening to.

But the incident gives us a clue that the Son of God had chosen an ordinary working-class family and if he had picked up any skill, it must have been from his father, to be a carpenter.

In our society and even in Church communities we do find attitudes similar to that of the townsmen. We grade people according to their work and social status. We don’t have to go too far… imagine the way the migrant domestic helpers are treated in our homes and societies.

The feast of St. Joseph the Worker is a reminder to treasure the worth of each person and to appreciate the value of their work which makes our lives a lot easier.