Sunflower Seeds logo

Sunflower Seeds

 

Celebrating Everyday Spirituality

Sunflower Seeds

Celebrating Everyday Spirituality

Jesus Worked

Jesus worked. We learn this from the Gospels. We also learn this from studying the life and society of first Century Palestine. Remembering that Jesus worked is important, for it is one way we (who also have to work for a living) can identify with him. It is also one way he identifies with us!  As we celebrate Labor Day in the U.S. let’s reflect on Jesus as laborer.

A few weeks ago I read Jesus: A Pilgrimage by the Jesuit writer Fr. James Martin. Much of what I say here is based on that book. The Gospels tell us Jesus was called “the son of a carpenter.”  The actual Greek word is tekton which some translate as “woodworker.” But theologian Elizabeth Johnson notes the word tekton  in the Gospels can designate not only a carpenter, but also “a stonemason, a Jesus carpenterpgcartwright (one who builds carts) and a joiner (one who makes the wooden components of a house).” John Meier in his book  A Marginal Jew says that if Jesus was a tekton he probably made doors, door frames, locks, bolts, furniture of all kinds, and even plows and yokes. This trade demanded considerable technical skill. It also involved “no little sweat and muscle.” Those pious images of Jesus as a thin, pale weakling don’t ring true to the Gospels. (See my earlier blog: “What Did Jesus Look Like?”)

Before beginning his public life, Jesus spent about fifteen years working for a living. If Joseph died early in his life, then perhaps he took over the family business at an early age. What qualities did Jesus need to be a successful tekton? First, he needed persistence. Jesus probably had to cut down trees, carry them back to his house, and fashion lintels, doors, and furniture. He needed discernment to calculate a fair price for his labors. And because he probably worked alongside other workers, he needed the ability “to cooperate and even lead.” Martin concludes: “All these traits would serve him well later in his ministry. They were useful tools.”

There are many signs of Jesus’ tekton background in his sayings and teachings. “My yoke is easy,” he says. A good yoke for oxen causes no chafing or discomfort for the animals. Did Jesus know this from making  good yokes? Jesus also tells the parable of the man building a house. He “dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock.” This is in contrast to the foolish man who builds his house on sand. Martin raises the question, “Would (Jesus’) listeners have known him as a reputable builder?”

Jesus also tells his followers, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Is he referring to something he was good at making, plows? Jesus also quotes from scripture, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” showing again his proclivity for using strong images from the building trade.

Jesus worked. This means he knew the realities of earning a living. He knew the challenges and satisfactions associated with the Jesus' handsjpgworkplace—inept co-workers as well as skilled ones; impatient, nagging customers as well as pleasant, grateful ones; failures with a specific job as well as successes. Jesus experienced fatigue and uncertainty. He was also cognizant of  the income disparities among his contemporaries, of the unjust tax system that drained his people, and of the general precariousness of human life. He would tap into all of these experiences when he began his public ministry.

Jesus worked. Little wonder people were so drawn to him. He was one of them. He is one of us too!

Prayer:

Jesus, you worked.

What a consolation that is to me, for I too must work.

Give me a greater appreciation for work—the work I do and the work others do for me.

Give me greater patience, persistence, and discernment in my work. Guide the skills I need to do my work well.

Help me to work well with others and to be fair in all I do.

And give me greater compassion and strength to work for greater justice in the workplace.

I ask these things of you, Jesus, because you know what it means to work. Amen.

 

What are some of the challenges and satisfactions of your particular work?

Can you relate to Jesus the tekton?

6 Responses

  1. Great Labor Day insights Sr. Melannie.

    The challenge of my work is folks to pull together and be a team. Academia can be a solitary place and bonding as a learning community can take some real effort.

    I like to think of Jesus as a worker. He too may have found it difficult to be part of a working community at times.

    Kathleen

  2. Dear Sister Melannie, It is grace-filled indeed to see something or someone in a new light–from a different perspective. While Jesus’ parables may be full of building images, I’ve never thought of Jesus truly as a retired tradesman. Rather, I see him walking the dusty roads of Galilee as a preacher, healer, son, and friend.

    It is much easier to “see” Peter as a muscular fisherman flinging heavy nets before he followed Jesus. But did Peter see Jesus as a fellow worker, with callouses and grit like his own? Since the gospels say little about Jesus’ activities before Mary invited Him to perform his first miracle at Cana, it is difficult to imagine His life before then. Perhaps, is it possible, in the days leading up to the wedding, that he was completing a table or chest for the new married couple?

    These images, like all that comes from God, are mystery and surprise. Our good and loving God truly lived and touched humanity as we are invited to do each day. God bless you, Sister.

  3. I go back to work tomorrow facing 20 new students of “Survey of Western Religions” at Madonna University. Thanks for putting it all in context. Kathleen, one of my highest values in college teaching is building community in the classroom! Good luck and blessings on your efforts.

  4. So much easier to relate to Jesus when identifying him as a ‘co-worker’! I pray every morning driving to work to make me a better person, see other’s point of view and reminding myself to be thankful for my job! Thanks so much for your perspective!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Blog Posts

One thing I like about praying: anything goes. I didn’t always believe this. As a little girl, I thought praying was mostly something you did in church on Sundays, or something you did before eating supper, or you did kneeling beside your bed every night. I didn’t realize that anything

Some of us will experience a total eclipse of the sun on Monday, April 8, 2024. The Cleveland, Ohio area is in its direct path. We will be privileged to witness this astronomical phenomenon from 1:59.20 PM to 4:28.57 PM (EST) (How’s that for pinpoint accuracy!) Even if our typical

Meet Sr. Melannie

Hi and welcome to my blog! I’m Sister Melannie, a Sister of Notre Dame residing in Chardon, Ohio, USA. I’ve been very lucky! I was raised in a loving family on a small farm in northeast Ohio. I also entered the SNDs right after high school. Over the years, my ministries have included high school and college teaching, novice director, congregational leadership, spiritual direction, retreat facilitating, and writing. I hope you enjoy “Sunflower Seeds” and will consider subscribing below. I’d love to have you in our “sunflower community.” Thank you!

Subscribe to Blog

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Loading

Upcoming Events

Finding God in the Ordinary and Amazing: An Afternoon with Sister Melannie

Sunday, May 19, 2024 – 1:30 – 4:00 Central – via zoom

Sponsored by the Portiuncula Center for Prayer – Frankfort, Illinois

Fee: Donation

For details visit: [email protected]

Weekend retreat at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, Pulaski, PA
October 11-13, 2024

October 11-13, 2024

Details to follow

Retreat with the Sisters of Loretto, Nerinx, KY
September 8-13, 2024

September 8-13, 2024

Details to follow

Retreat at Lial Renewal Center, Whitehouse, OH
August 11-18, 2024

August 11-18, 2024

Retreat at Heartland Center for Spirituality, Great Bend, KS
April 14-19, 2024

April 14-19, 2024

Details to follow

First Friday Club in Youngstown, Ohio
April 4, 2024

April 4, 2024

Details to be determined

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.