‘Imitate patron’s industry’ – Palma

The people should follow the example of St. Joseph, the worker, who worked hard and pursued the mission God had given him.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma reminded the Cebuano flock of the Old Testament, where Joseph the dreamer became the provider for the people.

In the New Testament, Palma said that St Joseph is tasked to be the protector of his family, as the father whom Jesus grew up with.

“ If we have devotion for him, we will also be safe,” Palma said in his homily yesterday during the celebration of the feast for St Joseph at the St. Joseph National Shrine in Mandaue City.

Palma said that if the Mandauehanons would continue their devotion to St Joseph, then “God would provide for their needs, through Joseph.”

The Cebu Archbishop also reminded the faithful to appreciate the blessings from God.

“ Sometimes, our blessings come in raw materials and not finished products because He wants to remind us that we also need to work for our dreams,” Palma said.

“The work we do should be a service to the community where we share and also receive our blessings,” he added.

Palma encouraged the faithful to work not just for the family but also for the development of the society.

“ Our efforts should be offered to the Lord,” Palma said.

He said that a person’s work is guided by three principles, the intention, disposition and evaluation.

He said that the intention of work is to show gratitude once the blessings are received, like parents, who are working hard to provide for their children.

“ We should always be thankful for the hard work of our parents, because we are receiving their blessings,” Palma said.

And when the blessings would be received, then the individual should continue to be good at what he or she does to experience joy.

“What’s worth doing is worth doing well,” Palma said.