Daily Gospel Reflection
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May 1, 2019
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.
And this is the verdict,
that the light came into the world,
but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
It is likely that many communities are still enjoying the high of Easter. As a Church we have 50 liturgical days to remind us of the joys of Jesus’ resurrection. There is a strong draw towards light during these days before Pentecost where energy and the spirit of renewal is abundant. However, we live in a world where darkness can be easier to choose than light. Choosing darkness is not only easier in the eyes of many, but has many temptations attached to it.
As a rector in Pasquerilla West Hall on Notre Dame’s campus, I am called to illuminate the light within the lives of my women. Tangibly, this illumination is lived out through accompaniment, love, and compassion. I see light in empowering women through our hall’s Women’s Empowerment Month. I see light witnessed to in the community at Mass every Wednesday and Sunday. Light shines forth when I celebrate the success of my women and their daily achievements. At the core of my role though, I am reminded of life’s paradoxes: light and darkness coexist. Darkness manifests itself in the form of mental health concerns and emotional distress; roommate struggles and family problems. God’s grace allows me to sit with people in their personal darkness and woundedness. I am reminded daily that we are all wounded healers.
The women of Pasquerilla West remind me, like today’s Gospel, of the deepest truth: God’s love walks with us in our darkness, and brings us into its radiant light. As our Church continues these 50 days of Easter, may we remember that “whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.”
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we have done many things that we are ashamed of, things that we would prefer be kept hidden. Yet we also need to remember that no sin is greater than your love for us. So please grant us the courage to stop hiding and come out into the light of your forgiveness and mercy. Amen.
Saint of the Day
For centuries, May 1, known as May Day, was celebrated as a traditional springtime festival date in Europe. As the Industrial Revolution changed the face of society, May 1 also became a date on which unions and political activists organized activities to advocate for workers. This day became known as International Workers’ Day, and is especially popular in communist states.
St. Joseph has a traditional feast day on March 19, but for a time, the Church had also honored Joseph during the second week of Easter. In 1955, this feast was transformed to the feast of St. Joseph the Worker and moved permanently to May 1 to highlight Joseph’s patronage of workers and craftsmen.
When pondering Jesus, it is easy for Christians to focus on his divinity and forget the ways in which Jesus shared our humanity. Joseph was a carpenter, and our tradition tells us that Jesus was formed by his foster-father in this same trade, which meant hard work, an attention to detail, patience, and diligence.
Joseph provided for his family as a craftsman who did not earn a lot of money. When they went to the Temple, for example, Joseph offered two doves, which was an allowance for those who could not afford a greater sacrifice. Nevertheless, Joseph was filled with faith—he responded immediately to the promptings of angels in his care for Mary and Jesus, even when he did not understand why. He was also filled with love—he had tender regard for Mary, even when it appeared she was unfaithful to him, and he loved Jesus as his own son.
Relics of St. Joseph rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica, including parts of Joseph’s robe and pieces of Jesus’ crib, which would have been made by Joseph. He is depicted in many places around campus, including in today's featured stained glass image from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame's campus, and statue from the chapel in Breen Phillips Hall.
St. Joseph, patron saint of workers, you exemplify the dignity of human labor—pray for us!