Acts 5:17-26; Jn. 3:16-21
Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker and “International
Workers' Day."
In reality, May Day was born as a workers' holiday not to celebrate
military power, but to honour the struggle of the U.S. labour movement for the
eight-hour day. The effort to win
"eight hours for work, eight hours for
rest, and eight hours for what we will" became a crusade for labour in the
years after the Civil War of 1861.
For years, factory workers had been forced to work up to 16 hours a day
in unsafe conditions. As they organized into unions, they began campaigning for
an eight-hour workday.
Genesis gives the beautiful story of creation. God finished the work of
creation in six days. And he rested on the seventh day from all his work he had
done.
Man, the crown of creation received the following blessing. "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill
the earth and subdue it.
From that time on man began his work on the earth,
as farmers, as inventors, as builders, as architects, as scientists, and so on.
According to a common belief, God
sends everyone in this world with two hands and a hidden trait that is his real
treasure to serve others with, in addition to earning his own livelihood. He
expects everyone to work hard and contribute to the progress of the country and
the well-being of others by working continuously and joyfully. And this demands
‘Labour’, that is not to be shirked or avoided under any circumstances.
Os Hillman tells the story of a rider on horseback,
who many years ago, came across a squad of soldiers who were trying to move a
heavy piece of timber.
A corporal stood by, giving lordly orders to
“Heave.”
But the piece of timber was too heavy for the
squad.
“Why don’t you help them?” asked the quiet man on
the horse, addressing the important corporal.
“Me? Why, I’m a corporal sir!”
Dismounting, the stranger carefully took his place
with the soldiers.
“Now, all together boys – heave!” he said.
And the big piece of timber slid into place.
The stranger mounted his horse and addressed the
corporal. “The next time you have a piece of timber for your men to
handle, corporal, send for your commander-in-chief.”
The horseman was George Washington, the first
American President.
Those who love work rise in life,
but those who despise labour remain
static and lag behind to shed tears, later on. A laborious man is honest and
persevering. He lives a hard life, earns very little money-but can look at any
man in the face, for he owes no one anything. He may not be rich, and may be
forced to struggle each day to survive, but he is a real hero in the battle of
life. Contentment and satisfaction are assured for him.
Abraham Lincoln, the famous U.S. President,
commented that if God did not want us to work, he would have given us no hands.
Truly, it is only through toil and sweat that man can get things done. We would
have no food, if farmers did not work hard in sun and in shower.
We would not have clothes to wear if men and women did not work hard as
weavers. We would not have a house if people did not work hard in construction.
We would not have any vehicles if factory workers did not labour hard.
When we work we participate in the noble act of creation. It is our duty
also to respect the people engaged in the act of creation. Shashikant
Nishant Sharma has described in his poem about it.
If work were so pleasant
The rich of the world would had been peasant
If labouring yielded gold
Then donkey would had been called
The best of animal kingdom
Thinking is random
But hope it will spark your thinking
And help you in linking
The miseries of the world
It is not due to lack of labour
But due to dint of some clever
Benefits are reaped by few
Few among us, unwilling to share
And not ready to care
For poor for sure
What do you think is the cure?
The rich of the world would had been peasant
If labouring yielded gold
Then donkey would had been called
The best of animal kingdom
Thinking is random
But hope it will spark your thinking
And help you in linking
The miseries of the world
It is not due to lack of labour
But due to dint of some clever
Benefits are reaped by few
Few among us, unwilling to share
And not ready to care
For poor for sure
What do you think is the cure?
St Joseph stands as a perfect example of a
dedicated worker and one who respect workers. As we celebrate “International
Workers' Day," let us absorb the qualities of our patron.
Satish