The carpenter's son
Published May 1, 2021 12:11 am
REFLECTIONS TODAY
Today is Labor Day. The Church also honors St. Joseph the Worker. In the Gospel, Jesus is teaching the people in the synagogue of his own native place. The people who heard him are astonished but are unable to believe that the person they apparently knew to be the son of a carpenter could possess the wisdom and perform mighty deeds beyond their expectations. Joseph, the legal father of Jesus, is identified by the Gospel tradition as a carpenter (Mk 6:3). We could imagine how he worked hard, with dignity, in order to raise his family. We could understand why the people would immediately identify Jesus as the carpenter’s son.
Jesus’ identity as carpenter’s son could also be understood in the light of his relationship with the heavenly Father. The Greek noun used is téktonos (téktōn), which can be translated as “carpenter” or “wood-craftsman.” God is the master craftsman who created the wonderful world for his human family (Prv 8:31).
GOSPEL • MATTHEW 13:54-58
Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
Today is Labor Day. The Church also honors St. Joseph the Worker. In the Gospel, Jesus is teaching the people in the synagogue of his own native place. The people who heard him are astonished but are unable to believe that the person they apparently knew to be the son of a carpenter could possess the wisdom and perform mighty deeds beyond their expectations. Joseph, the legal father of Jesus, is identified by the Gospel tradition as a carpenter (Mk 6:3). We could imagine how he worked hard, with dignity, in order to raise his family. We could understand why the people would immediately identify Jesus as the carpenter’s son.
Jesus’ identity as carpenter’s son could also be understood in the light of his relationship with the heavenly Father. The Greek noun used is téktonos (téktōn), which can be translated as “carpenter” or “wood-craftsman.” God is the master craftsman who created the wonderful world for his human family (Prv 8:31).
GOSPEL • MATTHEW 13:54-58
Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.