Labor Day and St. Joseph

Next weekend is Labor Day, which is traditionally the conclusion of summer and the last chance to celebrate and soak up summer relaxation. Also around these parts it means the annual Fryburg Homecoming on Sunday.

Labor Day in America was founded in 1882 to recognize the collective action of laborers and the benefit that they offer society. As trade unions grew, they proposed a day to be set aside to celebrate workers and their impact on society.

This year the Church throughout the world celebrates the Year of St. Joseph and he is a model and patron of all workers. St. Joseph worked by the sweat of his brow to provide for the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Every year on May 1 we celebrate the memorial of St. Joseph the Worker to honor the example that St. Joseph offers workers.

St. Joseph is described as a “tecton” which is basically a builder or fabricator. It is probably a bit more general than a carpenter, although carpentry would have part of his role. He probably would have had to excavate, demolish, and plan. He definitely would have had the fine skill of a carpenter, and on top of that he probably would have to do some “grunt” work.

In the workings of Divine Providence, it seems fitting that St Joseph is a builder; he shares in God’s own creativity. The first work of the Lord is to create. He creates the heavens and earth and fills them with life. St. Joseph, and all builders, share in God’s creativity. It is amazing and humbling that God invites humanity to share in His own creativity. This work reveals the dignity of humanity. By working and participating in God’s creativity, we see yet another way that God invites us to be like Him.

There are a multitude of other ways that work reveals our dignity as human beings: it builds up the human community, calls us to sacrifice, encourages selflessness, teaches justice, and builds up virtue. Maybe the most important aspect of work is that it supports the family. The center of all social life is the family and work provides the means for families to function and children to be raised.

All of these aspects of work can be seen in St. Joseph. During this Year dedicated to St. Joseph, let’s turn to him and ask him to show us the dignity of labor. May he show us work in its proper context, it doesn’t compete with the family, but supports the family. May all those in difficult work situations find God’s plan and providence. Happy Labor Day!

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Sean Wilson