One day, a woman approached me and asked, “Brother Bo, you look so calm. Do you ever get worried?” I laughed and said, “Of course! I’m a father. I’ve got two grown-up boys! I worry about them.”

I’m also an entrepreneur. Ask any entrepreneur—we eat problems for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including snacks. It’s stressful, and yes, I do worry. I’m also involved in our mercy ministries, and there are problems and conflicts there too.

But here’s the thing. I do two powerful things when it comes to worry. So, if you are stressed or going through a crisis right now, let me share them with you.

First, I focus on what I can control. I plan and come up with action steps to resolve them. And then I feel so much better. But for the things I cannot control, the magic sauce is I surrender them to God. I have zero control anyway, so why not give it to the Lord who knows all things?

Friend, when you have done your part, believe that God will do the rest. Then you will have peace that only He can give. 

Bo Sanchez (bosanchez@kerygmafamily.com)

reflect

How do you handle the storms in your life?

Father, give me wisdom to know what to do in the areas where I have control, and the trust to surrender those matters that I have no control of. Amen. 

Saint Joseph the Worker, pray for us.

First Reading | Colossians 3:14-15, 17, 23-24 (or Genesis 1:26–2:3 or Acts 13:26-33)

Paul encourages the people of Colossae to be grateful. This is an important part of the Christian walk. We have received so much from God and from one another that it is essential to thank those who have helped us. It also reminds us that we are part of a body and are in life-long relationships with others that need constant care and attention. Joseph was a man of great faith who did his best to be grateful for all the Lord gave him in his life, even though there have been times of great trial and difficulty.

¹⁴ Brothers and sisters: Over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one Body. And be thankful. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ²³ Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 90:2, 3-4, 12-13, 14, 16 (or Psalm 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11)

R: Lord, give success to the work of our hands.

² Before the mountains were begotten and the earth and the world were brought forth, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (R) ³ You turn man back to dust, saying, “Return, O children of men.” ⁴ For a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday, now that it is past, or as a watch of the night (R) ¹² Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. ¹³ Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! (R) ¹⁴ Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days. ¹⁶ Let your work be seen by your servants and your glory by their children. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 13:54-58 (or John 14:1-6)

The people whom Jesus grew up with in Nazareth find it difficult to accept Him now. People are always changing. We need to accept that children grow up and people grow old. Our relationships are ever changing and brings new challenges. Are we ready to face them or will we live in denial? Joseph faced many challenges in caring for Mary and Jesus. Let us follow his example.

Gospel Acclamation

Blessed be the Lord day by day, God, our salvation, who bears our burderns.

⁵⁴ He came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? ⁵⁵ Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? ⁵⁶ Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” ⁵⁷ And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” ⁵⁸ And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

Reflect

What are the changes you experience in your relationships with family, colleagues at work, co-servants in community? Among these changes, what is the most challenging for you? Why?

Read the Bible in one year! Read DEUTERONOMY 4 - 7 today.

Saint Joseph: A Father and a Worker of the Lord

Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. He was a carpenter. He accepted the role of being the father of Jesus on earth. As the good and responsible father of Jesus, he united himself with the Lord and aligned himself with the right direction toward heaven. There are three things about Saint Joseph that we shoud remember.

First, he was a just man. To be just means more than being fair. In the case of Mary getting pregnant without having had a relationship with Joseph, the justice of Joseph was shown in his obedience to God, who sent an angel to command him to continue his marriage with Mary in spite of her pregnancy. It did not matter what the consequences of that act would be as far as their relatives and neighbors were concerned.

Second, it was through Joseph that the prophecy of the Messiah was to be fulfilled. He was a descendant of David. Saint Matthew traced Jesus’ genealogy in his Gospel. But it was not just about the bloodline of Joseph. Together with Mary, Joseph reared Jesus to be a good Jew. We can find it in Jesus’ life and ministry. He was faithful to His responsibilities as a Jew. He knew His faith and culture as illustrated through His parables and examples.

Finally, Joseph was a hardworking carpenter, through whose labor he supported his family. He did not bank on being the foster father of Jesus to gain favors from God. But why was he not a shepherd or a fisherman? It must be because a carpenter works with wood. Wood is a symbol for humanity. Jesus was born in a manger, which was made of wood. Jesus died on the cross, again made of wood.

As we honor Saint Joseph today and remember the laborers, let us thank God for the gift and witnessing of Saint Joseph and the capacity to participate in His salvific work. 

Fr. Benny Tuazon

reflection questions

Do you see the connection between labor and salvation? How can using your skills lead to your holiness?

God our Father, we ask You to bless all fathers and laborers today. Bless them with health, strength, wisdom, patience, and love. Their blessings are our blessings too. Amen.

Today, I pray for: __________________________________