The Dignity of Labor

May Day was a huge celebration of the Communist Way of Life in Post-Romanov Russia, where a day long display of Russian military might was meant to warn the world of the power of the U.S.S. R. and bolster the egos and productivity of the "proletariat"...the workers.  Pope Pius XII counter-balanced this wordly worship of labor by introducing the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, whose quiet fidelity to the will of God, his conscientious care of the Holy Family and daily attention to his carpentry trade highlight the dignity of work and the execution of the ordinary little tasks that are our lot in life. Our imaginations conjure up the happiness and pride he brought to his family and work, and might motiviate us to approach our work in the same way.  I can't imagine a gloomy Joseph, despite the many challenges he faced under Roman rule and an economy that was never robust.  His love for Mary and Joseph colored his working hours, and having them close by (Jesus at his side learning his trade as a good son) kept him from being bored or lost in routine.  No doubt there was laughter when mismeasurements or mistakes were made, as they worked not at a frenetic pace, but taking time to rest from the heat of the day, and certainly observing the Sabbath.
It's early in our work day today, so we can still ask Joseph to guide us in what we are doing, and keep the image of this working family before our eyes as we carry out our work.
Bro. Rene