MAY 1, ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER.
DON’T FORGET THAT YOUR WORK AND
DAILY ORDINARY ACTIVITIES ARE A PATH TO HOLINESS!

As we prepare to celebrate May 1’s feast, St. Joseph the Worker (preceded by the 6^th Sunday of Easter), during which the entire world celebrates the human activity of work, let us remind ourselves that WORK HAS A DIVINE, SANCTIFYING VALUE AS WELL, FOR WORK AND OTHER ORDINARY TASKS OF OUR DAILY LIFE ARE A PATH TOWARDS HOLINESS, TOWARDS SANCTITY.

As Pope Francis said:

“We are all called to become saints…BE A SAINT BY CARRYING OUT YOUR WORK WITH HONESTY AND COMPETENCE AND BY OFFERING TIME IN THE SERVICE OF YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. “But, father, I work in a factory; I work as an accountant, only with numbers; you can’t be a saint there…”. “Yes, yes you can! There, where you work, you can become a saint. God gives you the grace to become holy. God communicates himself to you”. ALWAYS, IN EVERY PLACE, ONE CAN BECOME A SAINT, THAT IS, ONE CAN OPEN ONESELF UP TO THIS GRACE, WHICH WORKS INSIDE US AND LEADS US TO HOLINESS.

WHEN THE LORD INVITES US TO BECOME SAINTS, he doesn’t call us to something heavy, sad… quite the contrary! IT’S AN INVITATION TO SHARE IN HIS JOY, TO LIVE AND TO OFFER WITH JOY EVERY MOMENT OF OUR LIFE, BY MAKING IT BECOME AT THE SAME TIME A GIFT OF LOVE FOR THE PEOPLE AROUND US. IF WE UNDERSTAND THIS, EVERYTHING CHANGES AND TAKES ON NEW MEANING, A BEAUTIFUL MEANING, A MEANING THAT BEGINS WITH LITTLE EVERYDAY THINGS (General Audience, November 19, 2014).”

Let us ask the intercession of St. Joseph so that like him, we may seek, find and love God in our work and ordinary duties of each day by working well to the best of our capabilities, living the virtues and offering it to Our Lord.

St. Joseph, pray for us, for all the workers in the world and for those who are seeking for a job.

HAPPY FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER!

SEE AS WELL:

WORK WITH JOY AND HOPE: https://catholicsstrivingforholiness.com/2015/08/20/pope-francis-on-family-life-2-work-may-god-grant-us-to-receive-his-call-to-work-with-joy-and-hope-to-give-dignity-to-oneself-and-to-ones-family/

HOLINESS IN DAILY TASKS DONE OUT OF LOVE: https://catholicsstrivingforholiness.com/2015/10/13/holiness-in-daily-tasks-done-out-of-love-seek-find-and-love-god-in-the-little-things-of-each-day/

NO TO BRIBERY, KICKBACKS AND CORRUPTION. DON’T GIVE DIRTY BREAD TO YOUR FAMILY: https://catholicsstrivingforholiness.com/2016/02/07/pope-francis-on-the-unjust-steward-no-to-bribes-kickbacks-and-corruption-dont-give-dirty-bread-to-your-children/

ORIGINAL PHOTO SOURCE: https://catholic4lifeblog.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/novena-to-st-joseph-third-day-jesus-was-subject-to-them-joseph-the-worker-michael_adams.jpg