jesus the worker
"Be slaves of Christ the Lord." —Colossians 3:24
Because our work is one of the main ways we express our love for Jesus, we must be working according to His will. Ask yourselves the following questions:
- Am I working to further the Lord's kingdom? The harvest is still great and becoming greater, but the workers are still few (Mt 9:37).
- Would I quit my job if the Lord told me to? Matthew, James, John, Peter, and Andrew quit their jobs at Jesus' command.
- Am I working for the right reason? Am I working for the Lord (Col 3:23) or for perishable food? (Jn 6:27)
- Do I consider my work a way of worshipping the Lord? (see Heb 13:16)
- Am I a witness for the risen Jesus on my job or do I give Jesus "the silent treatment?"
- Do I keep holy the Lord's Day by not working or shopping on Sunday? (see Ex 20:8ff)
- Is my work for Jesus worthy of persecution? (Acts 5:41)
- Will the Lord find me working for Him when He returns? (Lk 12:43)
If Jesus isn't Lord of our work, then He's not Lord of our lives. Through the intercession of St. Joseph the Worker, turn over your work and life to Jesus.
Prayer: Father, may my way of working be understandable only in the light of Your risen Son.
Promise: "Where did this Man get such wisdom and miraculous powers? Isn't this the carpenter's Son?" —Mt 13:54-55
Praise: St. Joseph left his job and his customer base on three different occasions to obey the command of the Lord (see Mt 2:13, 19, 22).
Reference: (For more teaching on this subject, order our pamphlet, Job Performance for Jesus.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 2, 2012
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