St. Joseph Teaches us to Shine in Our Work.


Wednesday 1st May, 2019. Read Acts 5:17-26, Psalm 34 and John 3:16-21


_*“And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light.” (John 3:19-20)*_

Today, being the first day of May, when the world celebrates Workers’ Day, the church earmarks this day to celebrate the Patron of Workers who is none other than St. Joseph, the hard-working husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus. We celebrate St. Joseph because he was identified as the Carpenter and from him, Jesus learnt how to work.

We celebrate this great man today who lived his life as a celibate despite his marriage to Mary and went about his duties quietly and humbly so as to highlight the Good News that work is not punishment but an opportunity given to man to transform the world cooperating with God in His ongoing creation.

St. Joseph teaches us that laziness is not the same thing as enjoyment; that he who does not work should not eat; that there is dignity in labour; that if God himself worked in the person of Jesus, we should never be ashamed to employ our creativity and time in working.

Today we pray for workers all over the world; especially workers whose rights and dignity are suppressed by the powerful; workers who are being unjustly denied of their wages; workers who face harassment in their place of work; workers who want to work but are searching for employment. May St. Joseph intercede for us all. Amen

As Jesus tells Nicodemus in today’s Gospel passage, our world today is filled with too many people who prefer darkness to light; people who will try everything possible to prevent the light of Christ from shining; people who try to cut short the life of God’s genuine messengers.

This is exactly what plays out in today’s first reading. The chief priests and Sadducees locked the Apostles in prison for preaching in the name of Jesus; for doing the work of God. But God fought for the Apostles, He sent an Angel to open the prison doors. While the court gathered to judge the Apostles, they were standing at the temple teaching the people. This miracle was a lesson for the chief priests and captains of the temple; God’s way of telling them they cannot stop the work of God.

When anyone tries to fight us for walking in the light, we should not fear because our victory is already guaranteed.

Our responsorial psalm wraps everything us beautifully when it says: “The Angel of the Lord is encamped around those who fear Him, to rescue them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who seeks refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:9).

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, create in me a pure heart and renew my spirit within me. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter. Bible Study: Acts 5:17-26, Psalm 34 and John 3:16-21).

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