Gospel: May 1, 2025
May 1, 2025 (Thursday)
Feast of St. Joseph the Worker
Psalter: Proper / (White)
Ps 34:2 & 9, 17-18, 19-20
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
1st Reading: Acts 5:27-33
Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58 (or John 3:31-36)
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 a prophet is 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:
“Isn’t he the carpenter’s son?”
The Church has long championed the dignity of work. The human person is not to be defined by what he or she produces; their created being is the source of their inherent dignity. But, insofar as person is able to do it, work is an important expression of that dignity, since it shows that we are cocreators with God, as we use our skills to benefit the human family and care for the world that we live in. Work provides the opportunity to share ideas, to collaborate, to produce something beautiful, helpful or necessary.
However, where labor is not freely undertaken or is carried out in poor conditions for low pay, work becomes a heavy burden that is not in keeping with human dignity. Many in the world still suffer terrible working conditions, and their exploitation ignores basic rights and dignity. As we celebrate St. Joseph the Worker, we give thanks to God for our gifts and talents. We ask Saint Joseph’s intercession that what we do will be for the glory of God. We also pray for the unemployed and for greater justice in the workplace, that those who suffer indignity or poverty might be defended.
