Lord, give success to the work of our hands. — Psalm 90:(see 17)

Mass readings: Acts 11:19-26 / John 10:22-30; or Genesis 1:26-2:3 or Colossians 3:14-15,17,23-24 / Matthew 13:54-58

Called to Work 

Today’s memorial — celebrating St. Joseph and the dignity of work — was instituted in 1955 as a Christian response to communist “May Day” celebrations. In the first reading we see that God made us in His image and our work is a sharing in His work of creation. God calls each of us to some specific task. And in the second, from Colossians, we’re told “whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord.” 

St. Joseph is a wonderful model of faithful, obedient, dedicated, and creative work, honoring God in his roles of husband to Mary, foster father of Jesus, and carpenter. Matthew 13:55 says that Jesus was known as “the carpenter’s son.” In these troubled times of high unemployment and economic turmoil, how sorely we need St. Joseph’s stable example and powerful intercession! 

Prayer: St. Joseph, patron saint of workers, pray for us.