In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph the patron of the universal Church.

In 1955, Pope Pius XII added the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. 

The Church held up Saint Joseph as a model for all to emulate.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 5:27-33

So they brought them

In and made them stand before the Council; and the High Priest questioned them,

"We gave you strict orders not to preach such a Savior; but you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching;

and you intend charging us with the killing of this man." To this, Peter and the apostles replied,

"Better for us to obey God, rather than any human authority!

 

The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a wooden post.

God set him at his right hand, as Leader and Savior, to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.

We are witnesses to all these things, as well as the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."

When the Council heard this, they became very angry and wanted to kill them.

 

Ps 34:2 & 9, 17-18, 19-20 The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

Matthew 13:54-58 (or John 3:31-36)

He went to his hometown and taught the people in their synagogue.

They were amazed and said, "Where did he get this wisdom and these special powers?

Isn't he the carpenter's son? Isn't Mary his mother and aren't James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas his brothers?

Aren't all his sisters living here? Where did he get all these things?" And so they took offense at him.

Jesus said to them, "The only place where a prophet is not welcome is his hometown and in his own family."

And he did not perform many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Isn't he the carpenter's son?"

The Church has long championed the dignity of work. The human person is not to be defined by what he or she produces;

their created being is the source of their inherent dignity. But, insofar as a person is able to do it,

work is an important expression of that dignity, since it shows that we are co-creators with God,

as we use our skills to benefit the human family and care for the world that we live in.

 

Work provides the opportunity to share ideas, to collaborate, to produce something beautiful,

helpful or necessary. However, where labour is not freely undertaken or is carried out in poor conditions for low pay,

work becomes a heavy burden that is not in keeping with human dignity. Many in the world still suffer terrible working conditions,

and their exploitation ignores basic rights and dignity. As we celebrate Saint Joseph the Worker,

we give thanks to God for our gifts and talents. We ask Saint Joseph's intercession that what we do will be for the glory of God.

We also pray for the unemployed and for greater justice in the workplace, that those who suffer indignity or poverty might be defended.