Feast of St Joseph

Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker in 1955. This feast extends the long relationship between Joseph and the cause of workers in both Catholic faith and devotion. Beginning in the Book of Genesis, the dignity of human work has long been celebrated as a participation in the creative work of God. By work, humankind both fulfills the command found in Genesis to care for the earth (Gn 2:15) and to be productive in their labours. Saint Joseph, the carpenter and foster father of Jesus, is but one example of the holiness of human labour.

The first reading from the book of Genesis (1:26-2:3) gives us an account of creation.  We are told of the great dignity of men and women “created in the image of God” and being made “masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven, the cattle, all the wild beasts and the reptiles that crawl upon the earth.”  The alternative first reading from Paul’s letter to the Colossians (3:14-15,17,23-24) we hear Paul’s exhortation “Whatever your work is, put your heart into it as if it were for the Lord and not for men, knowing that the Lord will repay you by making you his heirs.  It is Christ that you are serving.”

In the Gospel from Matthew (13:54-58) we hear the people of Nazareth were astonished at Jesus’ wisdom and they said “This is the carpenter’s son, surely?”