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Wednesday, May 1, 2013

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St. Joseph the Worker


Genesis 1:26—2:3 or
Colossians 3:14-15, 17, 23-24
Psalm 90:2-4, 12-14, 16
Matthew 13:54-58

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jesus the worker

"Be slaves of Christ the Lord." —Colossians 3:24

Because our work is one of the main ways we express our love for Jesus, we must be working according to His will. Ask yourselves the following questions:

  1. Am I working to further the Lord's kingdom? The harvest is still great and becoming greater, but the workers are still few (Mt 9:37).
  2. Would I quit my job if the Lord told me to? Matthew, James, John, Peter, and Andrew quit their jobs at Jesus' command.
  3. Am I working for the right reason? Am I working for the Lord (Col 3:23) or for perishable food? (Jn 6:27)
  4. Do I consider my work a way of worshipping the Lord? (see Heb 13:16)
  5. Am I a witness for the risen Jesus on my job or do I give Jesus "the silent treatment?"
  6. Do I keep holy the Lord's Day by not working or shopping on Sunday? (see Ex 20:8ff)
  7. Is my work for Jesus worthy of persecution? (Acts 5:41)
  8. Will the Lord find me working for Him when He returns? (Lk 12:43)

If Jesus isn't Lord of our work, then He's not Lord of our lives. Through the intercession of St. Joseph the Worker, turn over your work and life to Jesus.

Prayer:  Father, may my way of working be understandable only in the light of Your risen Son.

Promise:  "Where did this Man get such wisdom and miraculous powers? Isn't this the carpenter's Son?" —Mt 13:54-55

Praise:  St. Joseph left his job and his customer base on three different occasions to obey the command of the Lord (see Mt 2:13, 19, 22).

Reference:  (For more teaching on this subject, order our pamphlet, Job Performance for Jesus.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 2, 2012

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