St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of SJW:

This Monday, January 16^th, is the annual commemoration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  In the 1950’s and 1960’s he was the icon of civil rights, equality, justice, tolerance, and much more.  He fought, in a non-violent way, for all people who were oppressed, especially blacks.  And for all his work to bring to light the plight of so many, he was assassinated.  He was a martyr for the Civil Rights movement. 

As we call him to mind and his call to brotherhood and sisterhood, let us all accept the challenge to see others as our brothers and sisters, even if they have a different skin color.  Even if they go to a different church than we do.  Even if they converse in another language.  Even if they are poor and indigent.  Even if they vote differently than we do.  Even if they shun us. 

If we look around our country at this time, we see relations among races, political parties, etc., just as bad, if not worse, than in the time of Martin Luther King.  People are so polarized.  People verge on hating one another because of their view on this or that.  People have lost respect for each other.  People many times care just for themselves and not anyone else.  People have no tolerance or patience with others on a highway or in line at a store.  People seem to have lost the message of MLK. 

Let us dig deep and see if we can begin or continue in a deeper way to be followers of Jesus who share His love and mercy and outreach with others, no matter who they are.  Jesus ministered to the forgotten, social pariahs, outcasts of His day. 

May we open our hearts in welcome to the Lord’s presence in those in the same pew as us; in those who live in our neighborhood; in those who sit at our table at family gatherings; in those we work with each day; in those who are homeless and begging on a street corner; in those abandoned and forgotten and discarded.

Your Pastor,

Father Joe