St Joseph, Working for Salvation – May 01 – Homily – Fr Matthias

 

Fr Matthias gave the homily at Bloomington, IN, on May 01, 2024, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, where he explored the spiritual dimensions of environmental stewardship, emphasizing our divine mandate to align earthly management with the ultimate goal of salvation.

Father discussed the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, emphasizing the Biblical command from Genesis to "increase, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it" Genesis 1:28 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/1?28. He reminded us that humans, created in the image of God, are given the responsibility to shape the world in a way that reflects our dignity as rational beings, the highest in the visible creation order. This responsibility includes stewarding the earth not just for our physical existence but primarily for the spiritual goal of salvation and sanctification. He critiqued modern environmental movements by juxtaposing the saving of natural resources with the ultimate purpose of human life, salvation, citing Christ's words about gaining the world but losing one's soul Matthew 16:26 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/16?26. Father emphasized that our interaction with nature must adhere to its laws and divine purpose, which is to glorify God and aid in our salvation, a principle also highlighted by St. Joseph's example of obedient and purposeful work.

For Further Reading on Catechism
CCC 2415 - Humankind's dominion over inanimate and other living beings, as taught by the faith. - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2415.htm
CCC 2825 - Fulfilling God's will in creation, reflecting on Christ's obedience. - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2825.htm
CCC 339 - Each creature possesses its own particular goodness and perfection. - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/339.htm

00:00 - Introduction to St. Joseph the Worker Feast
00:18 - God's Commandment in Genesis
00:26 - Mankind's Role as Creators
00:50 - Subduing Earth According to Its Laws
01:12 - Shaping Earth for Human Dignity
01:50 - Goals: Sanctification and Glorification
02:05 - Christian Ecology and Earth's Purpose
04:06 - Fulfilling God’s Commandment and Earth’s Purpose

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Joseph the Worker - Feast - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050124.cfm
1st: gen 1:26-2:3
Resp: psa 90:2, 3-4, 12-13, 14, 16
Gsp: mat 13:54-58

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=2211

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