Matthew 13:54-58
“The humble craftsman of Nazareth not only personifies to God and the Holy Church the dignity of the labourer, but he is also the provident guardian of you and your families.” – Pope Pius XII
And coming to his own country he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brethren James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?”
And they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own country and in his own house.”
And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
What do the Fathers say?
About the Gospel Reading:
St JEROME. Wonderful folly of the Nazarenes! They wonder how Wisdom itself has wisdom, how Power has mighty works! But the source of their error is at hand, because they regard Him as the Son of a carpenter.
And if they are mistaken in His Father, no wonder if they are also mistaken in His brethren.Those who are here called the Lord’s brethren, are the sons of a Mary, His Mother’s sister.
St John CHRYSOSTOM. Therefore were they in all things senseless, seeing they lightly esteemed Him on account of him who was regarded as His father, notwithstanding the many instances in old times of illustrious sons sprung from lowly fathers; as David was the son of a farmer, Amos the son of a shepherd, and himself a shepherd. And they ought to have given Him more abundant honour, because, despite coming of such parents, He spoke in such a manner; clearly showing that it came not of human industry, but of divine grace.
St HILARY. And this was the carpenter’s son who subdues iron by means of fire, who tries the virtue of this world in the judgment, and forms the rude mass to every work of human need; the figure of our bodies, for example, and all the actions of life eternal.
About the Dignity of Labour:
St John CHRYSOSTOM. “Let us not, then, be out of heart at our manual labor… Paul, after his many miracles, sat in his workshop and sewed skins together; and the Angels looked on him with more pleasure than on those who were seated upon golden thrones.”
St BASIL the Great. In your turn of service, both by your bodily toil and your words of comfort show your love for those upon whom you wait, so that your service may be acceptable. Suffer not another to perform your task, so that your reward be not taken from you and given to another, and he boast himself in your riches, while you are humbled. Perform all the duties of your service with carefulness and decency, as serving Christ. Cursed be he that does the work of the Lord negligently.
And avoid, as if God Himself were your overseer, the careless neglect which proceeds from arrogance and disdain, even though the task before you be but of small account. For serving is a noble work, and will procure for you the kingdom of heaven. It is like a net, full of all the virtues, and containing within itself every precept of God.
“The humble craftsman of Nazareth not only personifies to God and the Holy Church the dignity of the labourer, but he is also the provident guardian of you and your families. We are pleased to announce to you our determination to institute the liturgical feast of St. Joseph the Worker, assigning to it precisely the 1st of May… so that the spirit may flow into all from the heart of the God-Man, who is the Saviour of all men.” – from the speech of Pope Pius XII in St. Peter’s Square on May 1, 1955, officially announcing the feast to the Association of Italian Christian Workers.
“Glorious Saint Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labour, obtain for me the grace to work in a spirit of penance for the expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my inclinations; to work with gratitude and joy, considering it an honour to employ and develop by means of labour the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, never shrinking from weariness and difficulties… all for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thy example, O Patriarch, Saint Joseph. Such shall be my watchword in life and in death. Amen.” – Pope Pius X