(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.
