Gospel: May 1, 2024
(Wednesday)
Feast of St. Joseph The Worker
Psalter: Proper (White)
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 90: 2, 3-4, 12-13, 14, 16
Lord, give success to the work of our hands.
1st Reading: Genesis 1: 26b – 2:3
Gospel: Matthew 13: 54-58
He went to his hometown and taught the people in their synagogue. They were amazed and said, “Where did he get this wisdom and these special powers? Isn’t he the carpenter’s son? Isn’t Mary his mother and aren’t James, Joseph, Simon and Judas his brothers? Aren’t all his sisters living here? Where did he get all these things?” And so they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them, “The only place where prophets are not welcome is his hometown and in his own family.” And he did not perform many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Reflection:“Our God saves.”
We begin our faith journey this May by honoring St. Joseph the Worker. At the same time, we also honor all the workers of the world in commemoration of Labor Day. St. Joseph is Jesus’ foster father. The Gospel tradition identifies Jesus as the carpenter’s son (cf. Mt. 13:55; Lk. 4:22). A carpenter at that time was commonly referred to as a “wood-craftsman” (téktōn). Furthermore, the wisdom tradition identifies God as the master craftsman who always works for the good and welfare of his divine family (cf. Prov. 8:31). Now then, we may reflect not only on the role of St. Joseph as the dignified provider for Mary and Jesus but also as a man who kept a deep relationship with God. There are only few appearances of St. Joseph in the Gospel accounts (cf. Mt. 1:16-24; 2:13; Lk. 1:27; 2:4- 43; 3:23; 4:22; Jn. 1:45; 6:42) but these few occurrences clearly depict him as a man of God. St. Joseph must have been fully aware of the fact that without God he could be like a withered branch.
