For all those who work, or want to.

Just last year I dedicated my May 1 blog post to St. Joseph, patron saint of all who work. May 1 is the day we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, a much better celebration than May Day, which is enjoyed in dictatorial nations like the one that recently gave us all the deadly virus that has caused some to be horribly overworked and many more to be completely jobless.

It's funny that St. Joseph is so important, since he doesn't get a word in edgewise in the Bible. Really, no dialogue recorded. But that means when he is called on to do something, he does it without comment or question, unlike almost every other figure in the Bible, including Mary at the Annunciation and Jesus Himself in His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Also, something that only occurred to me this year: When Jesus was brought as a baby to the temple for dedication, St. Simeon declares to Mary that “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” He says nothing about Joseph, which had to make Joseph think, And where will I be when all this is going on? And I'm sure he knew what it meant.

To those so inclined, it would be a good day to ask St. Joseph to intercede for all workers affected by this horrible COVID-19 virus -- those who have been stricken with it, those who have died, those who have worked long hours to help the sick, those who have seen their jobs or businesses evaporate or trickle down to nothing, those who have no idea what the future will bring and see only bleak horizons. Individually the value of work is crucial to our mental and even spiritual well-being, not to mention our survival and that of our families. Together, we desperately need to get back to work to lift our nations and our civilization back from the brink of economic ruin. Most of us are trying to do whatever we are asked in this quarantine, but the price is getting steeper by the day.

As I've said before, St. Joseph, the Protector of the Holy Family, really comes through for us, at least in my experience, although maybe not in the ways we expect (or even want). He's my Confirmation saint, because I love his stoicism in the face of peril and struggle -- unlike me -- and because he was a hard worker -- and at heart I'm lazy and need someone to kick my behind.

I hope we can get past this soon and get back to our jobs. As the saying goes, pray for potatoes but pick up the shovel.