It is 1st May 2019. We celebrate the Memorial of St Joseph the Worker and the international Labourers Day. We ask the intercession of St. Joseph, the Worker for all workers that, like him, we realise that we glorify God with the work of our hands. In 1955 Pope Pius XII instituted this feast of St. Joseph the Worker to increase devotion to the saint who was the model of workers, providing for his wife Mary and foster son Jesus upholding the dignity of work. St. John Paul II focused on St. Joseph in Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of the Redeemer) pointing out: “Human work, and especially manual labour, receive special prominence in the Gospel…At the workbench where he plied his trade together with Jesus, Joseph brought human work closer to the mystery of the Redemption.” In 2005 Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI taught us: “It is necessary to live a spirituality that helps believers to sanctify themselves through their work, imitating St Joseph, who had to provide with his own hands for the daily needs of the Holy Family and whom, consequently, the Church holds up as Patron of workers.” The readings are from Acts 5:17-26; and the Gospel from John 3:16-21. Work loves all of us while only some of us love working. There is enough work for everybody. There is no work is lower than the other. It is the way we work make us popular, faithful and fruitful. However meagre is the work still we all can be recognised and reimbursed for what we have done. We are the co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord. There is a dignity attached to every work. Every worker deserves his/her just wage. The abuse of work must be avoided by all means as the corruption of labour. Gender and racial connections must not be yardstick for the just wages. To be fruitful and faithful worker, no one needs to be a workaholic. We do not need to abuse the virtue of working to be successful, rich and affluent. In the first reading we are strengthened by the miraculous escape of the Apostles from the prison. When we work for the Lord and spreading the Word of God, God helps us through many people to continue working for God. The responsorial Psalm intercedes: “The poor person called the Lord heard him.” (Ps.33:7). Traveling towards the light of the Risen Lord is indeed the work of our salvation. The Gospel invites us to embrace the light of the Lord and to shun the shadows and darkness of evil. Being true to God’s Word and Work, we encounter the Light of Christ. “Those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” (Jn.3:21). May the Lord kindly bless and protect all our endeavours. May you have day full of blessings. Happy Worker’s Day to you all. Have a good day.