Ave Maria Meditations
At the workbench where he, Saint Joseph, played his trade together with Jesus, Joseph brought human work closer to the mystery of the redemption. (Saint John Paul II)
The devil hates an honest and diligent worker… He particularly does stand the fact that because of love, God humbled Himself and became a man, making Himself capable of manual labor. Jesus spent many years in Saint Joseph’s workshop diligently working.
Jesus is God. Together with the Father and the Holy Spirit He made the heavens and the earth… When He became flesh, Jesus sanctified human work and elevated it to a level of greatness that did not exist prior to His Incarnation. Though divine, God humbled Himself, became a man, and worked like a man. In His humanity He learned how to work as a man in imitation of the example of His early earthly father, Saint Joseph.
Saint Joseph is the model workman. If Saint Joseph taught the God-Man how to work, he is more than capable of serving as our model as well. Hard work benefits the person, the family, and society. Work is not always easy and pleasant. Putting in a hard day’s work can be taxing on the mind, body, and soul. Sometimes work could be downright burdensome. As a Carpenter, Jesus knew this firsthand. He offers comfort to all who make their living by the sweat of their brow.
Saint Joseph will teach you how to be a diligent worker. Our Lord desired to do manual labor for many years before initiating His public ministry. Why did He do it? He did it because He wanted to sanctify work and teach that work is honorable and pleasing to God.
Jesus learned the proper place of work in His life through the loving example of St. Joseph. Saint Joseph made time for God, family, recreation, and rest. Saint Joseph modeled these aspects of human life for Jesus. Saint Joseph will teach you these important lessons as well.
Father Donald Calloway, MIC (from the consecration to Saint Joseph)
