St. Joseph the Worker: A "man of great spirit"
Today marks the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker. As St. John Paul II once said, St. Joseph is a “man of great spirit” who through his quietness and his heart he “ceaselessly preserves in the readiness to accept the Truth contained in the word of the Living God.”
In Laborem Exercens, St. John Paul II also asks us to “call attention to the dignity and rights of those who work.” And for those of you on LinkedIn, you may be looking at other people’s jobs, promotions, or other companies and find yourself wondering if what you do matters. Or if the work we perform day in and day out is making a difference.?
No matter what you do, I encourage you to follow the path of St. Joseph who, while he labored quietly, was someone as the foster father of Jesus, certainly had a purpose through his work in supporting his family, which included the Son of God.?
Through your work, you live out the plan that God has for you. If you are discouraged, remember that work does not define who you are, either. Your family and friends along with your outside interests, including your faith, are just as important. And pray. Ask for guidance and discernment on a new direction in your professional life.?
Be sure to remember what Jesus tells us: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8).