Saturday, May 1, 2021
Memória facultativa de São José Operário
Jesus foi à sua terra e ensinava o povo na sinagoga. Todos ficavam admirados e diziam: “De onde lhe vêm essa sabedoria e esses feitos poderosos? Não é ele o filho do carpinteiro?” Mateus 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.
Embora hoje José seja universalmente reconhecido e honrado em nossa Igreja e até mesmo como uma figura histórica de destaque mundial, durante sua vida ele teria sido um homem que passava em grande parte despercebido. Teria sido visto como um homem comum cumprindo seus deveres comuns. Mas, de muitas maneiras, é isso que faz de São José um homem ideal para imitar e uma fonte de inspiração. Pouquíssimas pessoas são chamadas a servir aos outros sob os holofotes. Pouquíssimas pessoas são elogiadas publicamente por seus deveres cotidianos. Os pais, em especial, muitas vezes recebem pouco reconhecimento. Por essa razão, a vida de São José, essa vida humilde e escondida vivida em Nazaré, oferece à maioria das pessoas inspiração para seu próprio dia a dia.
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.
Meu Jesus, Filho do carpinteiro, agradeço-Vos pelo dom e pela inspiração de Vosso pai terreno, São José. Agradeço-Vos por sua vida comum, vivida com grande amor e responsabilidade. Ajudai-me a imitar sua vida, cumprindo bem meus deveres diários de trabalho e serviço. Que eu reconheça na vida de São José um modelo ideal para a santidade de minha própria vida. São José Operário, rogai por nós. Jesus, eu confio em Vós.
Mais reflexões sobre o Evangelho
Reflexões sobre a Divina Misericórdia
Saint of the Day – Saint Joseph the Worker
Featured images above: Saint Joseph the Worker
