Saturday, May 1, 2021
Peringatan Fakultatif Santo Yusuf Pekerja
Yesus datang ke tempat asal-Nya dan mengajar orang-orang di rumah ibadat mereka. Mereka takjub dan berkata, “Dari mana orang ini memperoleh hikmat dan kuasa untuk melakukan mukjizat-mukjizat itu? Bukankah Ia ini anak tukang kayu?” Matius 13:54–55
On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis announced the beginning of the universal celebration of the “Year of Saint Joseph,” which will conclude on December 8, 2021. He introduced this year with an Apostolic Letter entitled “With a Father’s Heart.” In the introduction to that letter, the Holy Father said, “Each of us can discover in Joseph—the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence—an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble.”
The Gospel above, taken from the readings for this memorial, point to the fact that Jesus was “the carpenter’s son.” Joseph was a worker. He worked with his hands as a carpenter so as to provide for the daily needs of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Son of God. He provided them with a home, with food, and with the other daily necessities of life. Joseph also protected them both by following the various messages of the angel of God who spoke to him in his dreams. Joseph fulfilled his duties in life in a quiet and hidden way, serving in his role as father, spouse and worker.
Meskipun kini Yusuf dikenal dan dihormati secara luas di dalam Gereja kita, bahkan sebagai tokoh terkemuka dalam sejarah dunia, semasa hidupnya ia agaknya adalah seorang yang nyaris tidak diperhatikan. Ia mungkin hanya dipandang sebagai orang biasa yang menjalankan kewajiban sehari-hari. Namun, dalam banyak hal, justru itulah yang menjadikan Santo Yusuf sosok ideal untuk diteladani dan sumber inspirasi. Sangat sedikit orang yang dipanggil untuk melayani sesama di tengah sorotan. Sangat sedikit pula orang yang dipuji di depan umum karena menjalankan kewajiban sehari-hari. Orang tua, khususnya, sering kali sangat kurang dihargai. Karena itulah, kehidupan Santo Yusuf yang rendah hati dan tersembunyi di Nazaret ini menjadi sumber inspirasi bagi kebanyakan orang dalam menjalani kehidupan sehari-hari mereka sendiri.
If your life is somewhat monotonous, hidden, unappreciated by the masses, tedious, and even boring at times, then look to Saint Joseph for inspiration. Today’s memorial especially honors Joseph as a man who worked. And his work was quite ordinary. But holiness is especially found in the ordinary parts of our daily lives. Choosing to serve, day in and day out, with little or no earthly accolades, is a service of love, an imitation of the life of Saint Joseph, and a source of your own holiness in life. Do not underestimate the importance of serving in these and other ordinary and hidden ways.
Reflect, today, upon the ordinary and “unremarkable” daily life of Saint Joseph. If you find that your life is similar to what he would have experienced as a worker, a spouse and a father, then rejoice in that fact. Rejoice in the fact that you are also called to a life of extraordinary holiness through the ordinary duties of daily life. Do them well. Do them with love. And do them in inspiration of Saint Joseph and his spouse, the Blessed Virgin Mary who would have shared in this ordinary day-to-day life. Know that what you do each and every day, when it is done out of love and service of others, is the surest path to holiness of life for you.
Yesusku, Putra tukang kayu, aku bersyukur kepada-Mu atas anugerah dan inspirasi dari bapa-Mu di dunia, Santo Yusuf. Aku bersyukur kepada-Mu atas kehidupannya yang biasa, yang dijalani dengan kasih dan tanggung jawab yang besar. Bantulah aku meneladani hidupnya dengan menunaikan kewajiban sehari-hariku dalam bekerja dan melayani dengan baik. Semoga dalam kehidupan Santo Yusuf aku mengenali teladan yang ideal bagi kekudusan hidupku sendiri. Santo Yusuf Pekerja, doakanlah kami. Yesus, aku percaya kepada-Mu.
Saint of the Day – Saint Joseph the Worker
Featured images above: Saint Joseph the Worker
