The Origin of Work

 

Reflection on Today's Readings,  Saturday of 4th Week of Easter, Year B, May 1st, 2021
Texts: Acts 13:44-52; Ps. 98:1-4; John  14:7-14
Today is the memorial of St. Joseph the worker (optional). In St. Joseph, we see the meaning of work and the right attitude to work. God assigned to him the work of father in His household. St. Joseph's work as father comes from God.  Work has its origin in God: God worked for six days to create heaven and earth. God called man to participate in His work when it is said, "God blessed them, saying to them, 'Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Be the masters of the fish of the sea, birds of heaven and all the living creatures that move on the earth'". Hence, work is a divine mandate to everyone. It is by work that we improve, transform and add value to the face of the earth and also better our lives. Work is one of the ways in which man sustains his dignity. Laziness does not enhance human dignity but demean it.
The origin of work shows that it is an activity that improves creation and life. Work has the goal of improving creation and bettering life. Any activity that does not improve creation and make life better cannot, therefore, be seen as work. Theft, banditry, robbery, theft, terrorism, etc are not works.
St. Joseph has the right attitude to work; he followed the divine direction in his work as father of God's household. When God spoke to him through dream to escape with the baby Jesus to Egypt, he did not waste time (Mtt. 2:13-15). When God spoke to him to return to the land of Israel, he did what he was told (Mtt. 2:19-21). He was diligent and prompt in attending to his work. Hence, in the life of St. Joseph, we learn to follow God's instructions, to be diligent and prompt in attending to our works.
St. Joseph is reckoned to be just in his dealing. Being just means being right with both God and man. He glorified God with his work as carpenter and he did not cheat man with the work. He upheld the value of justice in his work; he kept his promises to his costumers. St. Joseph teaches us by his life to seek the glorification of God and betterment of humanity as we work. He also teaches us to always keep our promise and to avoid cheating as we work.
Work is the way to success; jealousy is an enemy of success. Jealousy is a wrong attitude towards the success recorded by another man's work. Success often attracts jealousy. This means success often engenders opposing force. That is one of the mysteries of success. The story of Paul in today's first reading is not alien to a successful person. Paul's teaching attracted many people and some Jews were jealous of him. It is said, "The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted what was spoken by Paul, and reviled him". The Jews were jealous of Paul and, so they opposed him and brought an end to his activities in the area. They were able to send Paul and Barnabas away but unable to stop the fruits of God's word sown by them in the people. It is said, "And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit." The seeds of God's word sown in the area continue to grow and spread. This reminds us once again that no one or thing could put an end to the word of God; it continues to grow and multiply in spite of opposing forces. We are to do our best and allow God to grow and multiply His word. We are called, today, to kill jealousy in us; we are to appreciate work that brings success and blessings to people. We are not to be jealous of one another but appreciate one another. When we are jealous, we are at loss. The jealousy made the Jews to reject the word  of salvation; they rejected God's offer of salvation to them. This calls us to give up jealousy.

Lord our God, give success to the work of our hands and make our labours bear bountiful fruits, fruits that last. Amen.

 *Happy New Month and Workers; may workers enjoy the fruits of their labour and those looking for work to do be guided by the Holy Spirit and be given good means of earning living; may the retirees get their entitlements. Amen*

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke