Daily Gospel Reflection
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May 1, 2025
The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him.
On May 1st, we celebrate the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. This feast was established 70 years ago to counter the utilitarian view of work and to re-emphasize its intrinsic spiritual value and dignity. Instead of work being an end unto itself, it provides us with the daily opportunity to glorify God. And Saint Joseph, the patron saint of workers, is an extraordinary example of this.
Right before today’s gospel reading, John the Baptist said that “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.” The name Joseph means “God will increase.” Joseph used his everyday craft of carpentry to teach Jesus and make him increase “in wisdom and in stature and in favor of God and man.” (Lk 2:52) It was in his workshop, in those quiet years of Jesus’s life, where Joseph helped Jesus grow, providing us the example of bringing dignity to our daily work, showing us how to decrease so that God may increase.
In my career, I often want to increase in the eyes of others. At times, I’ve needed (wanted) to be seen as the expert, the one who could “speak [knowledgeably] of earthly things.” Yet it is Saint Joseph’s example that challenges us to work with humility, not seeking our own glory, but using our work to glorify God.
Let us ask Saint Joseph to intercede for us to transform our work, not solely for our own gain, but that we may decrease, so that God may increase.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you love your Son Jesus and give everything and everyone over to him. May you make of us an everlasting gift to you, that we may always be grateful and sing your praises with joy-filled hearts. 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!