St. Joseph the Worker

On May 1, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Joseph, the patron saint of all workers. St. Joseph was a simple carpenter.

How was it possible for him to achieve such prominence when he was just a lowly carpenter? He did his task to give glory to God. As St. Paul says, “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being. Do it for the Lord, rather than for men” (Col. 3:23).

St. Joseph faithfully practiced the carpenter’s trade, hence, he serves as a shining example for all workers. Jesus himself learned from him and also became a carpenter.

The world has a different standard then and now. It gives more value to wealth, influence and power. In fact, Jesus was called “only a carpenter’s son” in his time. The world sometimes forgets that it can only survive with honesty and integrity. The value of a worker does not depend on what he does but on how he does it.

May St. Joseph’s example inspire us to work wholeheartedly in this world, seeking always to give God glory.