Is this not the Carpenter’s Son?

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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