Recognition

May 1, Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker
Daily Readings: Acts 15:1-6; John 15:1-8

Barnabas and Paul went to Jerusalem and they were welcomed by the church through the apostles and elders. They proclaim how God is too good to do great things with them, using them as the instrument for converting Gentiles and leading them to God.

In contrast with the Gospel today, when Jesus went to his own country,  he was not welcomed by the people. They even belittle them, saying, What is his right to preach in the synagogue? Isn't it true that he is the son of the carpenter, and his mother is the so-called Mary? Despite the lack of welcome, he continued to stay in his country to perform more miracles due to the large number of unbelievers there.

On the other hand, when we don't receive a compliment or even a passing glance at our work, we become extremely frustrated. Reaction could either be anger and the tendency is either to stop what we are doing or to strive more until our work is recognized.

Jesus experienced this in the Gospel; despite his own country's lack of appreciation, he stayed longer and persisted in performing miracles, with the hope that people would convert and become believers in God.

Today, as we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph, the worker, may we look up to St. Joseph for he silently accepted his mission to be the Father of Jesus in the living world, and even without any recognition, he fulfilled his mission.

Call to Action for Catholic Living: How about us? Do we need recognition for all the things that we do?  Can we carry on with our work without receiving recognition?
Lord, help us to do our work even when people don't acknowledge it, for we know you recognize it silently. Amen.