Feast of Joseph the worker: We are much more than the things we own.

Paul Samasumo - Vatican City.

In a labour day reflection, Archdiocese of Cape Town Vicar General Bishop Sylvester David, O.M.I., said though work and productivity are essential, so too are periods of rest and reflection.

“We have long become used to being productive units and feel quite restless and lost when we are not producing. Productiveness is important, but then so too is rest. And this is why the feast of Joseph the Worker is so important. It imbues our work and rest cycle with meaning,” said Bishop David.

To foster deep devotion to Saint Joseph among Catholics, and in response to the May - Labour Day celebrations for workers, the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker was instituted in 1955.

Shut down the computer

Bishop David reminded all workers to remember the comforting words of Jesus: “Come to me all who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest… I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt 11:28-29).

The Bishop said the term ‘rest’ was important for Jesus. In the Gospel of Mark 6:31, Jesus calls his disciples to a lonely place to rest. In both texts, the call to rest is not a mere invitation. Both are in the imperative form, making rest a necessary dimension of the Christian life.

“There are certain blessings which can only reach us when we are still. Therefore, we have to close the factory and shut down the computer,” Bishop David said.

Say no to greed

Making reference to Walter Brueggemann’s writings, Bishop David said that the concept of rest and the Sabbath means we must say a resounding ‘NO’ to inordinate greed.

“In South Africa today, there is a great gap between rich and poor. Sadly, one’s worth, and one’s significance is measured by what one has. The Sabbath subverts all these notions of inequality as God makes his Sun to shine on all and his rain to fall on all (cf. Mt 5:45)."