Today we celebrate St. Joseph the Worker, where we honor those who, like Joseph, labor in our society. However, in today’s Gospel from Matthew, we find that Jesus cannot do his own work in his hometown. “And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith” (Matt 13:58). As Catholics, we believe that work is good. Catholic Social Teaching says that “work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s Creation” (USCCB). If work is so good, then why, on this day, does the Church give us a story of when Jesus fails to do any work?
Work requires collaboration. Those who work in offices, on construction sites, or in hospitals know that any project requires coordination and cooperation. In our society, conversely, there is a myth that I can do everything by myself, whereas in reality, it is the work of many who contribute to success. As a result, we can often fall prey to the Fundamental Attribution Error, where I can perceive all our failures stemming from external causes, and all our successes result from my own efforts. However, work is less about competition and more about cooperation. When we cooperate, our society thrives. Similarly, Jesus requires cooperation from us to restore God’s Creation. In Nazareth, the people did not believe and refused to cooperate with Jesus, so he could not fulfill his role there.
Where am I in this story? Do I cooperate with God in my own line of work?