In the past, we didn’t give St. Joseph much of a thought, except that he headed the Holy Family. Prayers and meditations are mostly focused on Jesus, Mary and some popular saints. But, with the special year of St. Joseph hitting its half-way mark, the apostolic letter Patris Corde and the special devotions in honour of this beloved dad of Jesus, helps us to open our heart to St. Joseph and see him as a real man, as a humble husband and a gentle father—a beloved father who toils hard to sustain his household.
When Jesus first said “Abba,” he meant Joseph. And, as with all fathers, the vocation of Joseph was to provide Jesus with as seamless a transition from father to Father as possible. Joseph was a craftsman, working by the sweat of his brow and teaching Jesus the dignity of doing the same.
How do these theological teachings play out in our daily lives? The example of St. Joseph, the Worker, helps to focus us on those issues. He was not only a worker but was also the mentor of Christ, the Worker. “Is he not the carpenter’s son?”(Matthew 13:35) and “Is he not the carpenter?” (Mark 6:3) give us sufficient indications on how the family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus earned their livelihood. Jesus learned the trade at the side, and through the guidance, of St. Joseph as his apprentice.
Jesus’ thoughts and teachings were close to the everyday reality of people at work. He proclaims the Kingdom of God in his parables through the eyes of the worker: the shepherd, farmer, sower, cook, servant, steward, fisherman and labourer. Some of the most memorable people in the gospels are described more by the work they do than by their name: the woman at the well drawing water, the centurion and the tax collector.
Jesus’ realism, his eye for detail, the way he sat at table and broke bread, his preference for using everyday situations to impart doctrine—all this reflects his childhood and the influence of Joseph.
Our families live these gospel passages in powerful ways. For instance, like when fathers and mothers together, in sacramental communion, mentor their children in taking care of their daily chores involving cleaning, repairing, ordering, planting, weeding, moving, painting, vacuuming, dusting, washing or table-setting.
St. Joseph the Worker, Our Lady the Worker and Christ, the Worker are mysteriously present and interceding for family unity and faith formation that occurs in the family when they work, eat and pray together.
Pope Francis had once said, “Families transform the world and history.” One of the primary ways families do this is precisely in and through their daily work. This daily prayerful rhythm of work in the family is translated and expressed to the entire human family.
St. Joseph is also an important intercessor for young people making decisions about career paths and for people of all ages making high stake decisions about career management and development.
