Only about two hundred years ago, most of the world's population was under hereditary class systems. The value of a person was determined according to his social class. We all agree that a hereditary class system is not the best way to promote human equality or dignify human labour. People wished for a society where individual abilities are rewarded, and human dignity is respected regardless of social status. And we have modern societies now where class systems are abolished. But have we realized our wishes?

Indeed, we do not have visible social classes. All modern states declare equality of citizens. No social device stops people from choosing their work as they wish.

However, in place of royals and nobilities, it seems that money has now become our authority. There is no master of money. Money itself seems its own master. All people work for money. It seems we do not work for ourselves but money. People who have more than what they can spend for the rest of their life still work hard to make more money. Poor people work hard but are never respected because of their poverty. Honest work is not rewarded for its effort, while fraudulent schemes bring profits.

St Joseph was a poor carpenter. Although he was on the lineage of King David, he had no social status. St Joseph was nobody. However, he became the foster father of God’s only begotten Son. And he was the chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin. No social class or power of money supported the holy family. It was St Joseph’s honest work that nourished Jesus and Mary. The world tells us we need bigger houses and cars to keep our human dignity. In contrast, the poor carpenter’s honest work protected God’s Son and his Blessed Mother. The Incarnate Word of God and the Immaculate Conception did not demand social status and wealth to survive in this world but only a poor carpenter’s honest work. Indeed, St Joseph is to be called the Worker.