Wednesday, May 1, 2024

(Optional) Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker

(Acts 15:1-6; John 15:1-8)

On this Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker, it is fitting that the gospel pictures God as a farm worker.  Jesus tells in his parable of the vine and branches that God prunes the branches of the grapevine so that they can produce more fruit.

Jesus has in mind the word of God when he cites God as pruning grapevines.  Scripture prunes by instructing and chastising so that its readers know God’s will.  It also encourages and consoles so that they do not fail when life demands hard choices.

The times seem to favor workers.  In recent decades they have been relieved of many back-breaking chores.  AIso, in the United States at least, a tight labor market and the ability to work at home give them more flexibility in choosing jobs.  But these factors do not relieve workers of the responsibility to do their jobs diligently for the good of society. As much as ever they need to refer to the word of God for inspiration and moral direction.  

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