Homily for May 1, 2017.
In today’s
Gospel passage, Jesus is identified as the Carpenter’s son. In other words, his
own people who saw him growing up knew that Joseph, his earthly/foster father
was a carpenter.
They must
have seen Jesus working with Joseph in the carpenter’s workshop or helping out
when they went to work in people’s houses. It was possible that Jesus also
learned carpentry himself and made some pieces of furniture for his customers.
For his
own people to be so surprised at Jesus’ eloquence and wisdom in matters of the
faith shows that they all knew him as a Carpenter in the making, not as a
preacher not even to mention as the Messiah they had all being waiting for.
Even
though Jesus knew what he had come to do on earth, he spent almost 30years out
of his entire 33years living a very simple life, working as a carpenter under
the supervision and instruction of St. Joseph. Hence today we celebrate the
feast of St. Joseph the worker.
By spending
such a long time working, it simply goes to show that Jesus does not despise
work. In fact, God approves of work. Work brings out our dignity as human being
made in the image and likeness of God who himself worked for six days and
rested on the seventh day.
Not only
did God himself work, he also ordained work as the means through which man will
provide for his needs and for those who depend on him. The blessing God gave to
men included work.
“Be
fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over fish
of the sea, the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves on the
earth.” Tell me, is it possible for man to be fruitful without working? Can we
subdue the earth by sleeping? Work is what gives us dominion and control over
every living thing.
Dear
friends, work is not punishment, it is part of what makes us fully human and
fully divine. When we work, we become little gods in that we are able to
create, innovate and discover just like God who created us. If we don’t work,
we never get to know or develop or innate talents and God-given abilities.
Work is
not something to be left for slaves or servants. No. Work does not reduce us,
work increases our dignity. “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding
of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a vagabond, and want
like an armed man.” Proverbs 6:10-11 & Proverbs 24:33-34.
In fact,
work is what makes sleep sweet. The reason why we work at all is so that we can
rest peacefully. Ecclesiastes 5:12 says: “Sweet is the sleep of a labourer,
whether he eats little or much.” Dear friends, laziness is not enjoyment!
Indeed as the
saying goes: “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” There is no part of the
Bible that encourages laziness or slothfulness. When the mind is not busy,
temptations abound and one finds himself or herself craving for pleasures and
living out his or her animal instincts. Stop giving the devil a chance. Get
busy today!
Jesus
said: “My Father is working still, and I am working.” John 5:17. Even the
apostles worked to support themselves while they were preaching from place to
place. They did not put too much burden on the people they were ministering to.
St. Paul writing to the Thessalonians says:
“Now we
command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away
from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition
that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us;
we were not idle when we were with you, we did not eat any one's bread without
paying, but with toil and labour we worked night and day, that we might not
burden any of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6-8.
Parents,
please don’t spoil your children. Make them work for their incomes so that they
would value money and learn to respect people. Work is not suffering, it is ongoing
creation.
Finally, don’t
just work for money, money is not the sole aim of work and money is not
everything. Work for a vision, work to make our world a better place to live
in. work for God. Work sometimes for free, volunteer yourself just to enjoy
your sweat. Don’t become a slave to money in the name of work.
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, bless me and the works of my hands. Amen.
*Happy new month and Happy Workers
Day. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless
you. (Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. Bible
Study: Genesis 1:26-33, and Matthew 13:54-58).*
Fr. Abu.
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