There are many sides to working from home. On the negative side, I have become aware of all the clutter and dust in the house! On a more positive note, I have noticed, in a whole new way, the quiet, silent ‘army’ of people that keep our estate ticking over.
Faithfully, every Wednesday, the bins are emptied. On an almost daily basis, undaunted by the weather, our postman Tom delivers letters and parcels to the door. He is like an invisible angel who does his work and then is gone. Tom and many others like him serve us in a quiet, unobtrusive way.
They remind me of Saint Joseph. In December 2020, Pope Francis proclaimed a special “Year of St. Joseph”. Whereas we normally associate March with Saint Joseph, we also celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker on the 1st May. Pope Francis describes Saint Joseph as “a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows” (Patris corde)
In our COVID world we have all become aware that there are many others who serve us ‘in the shadows’. So, the next time we see the postman or the binmen at their work, let us just pause and think of all the silent workers who serve us faithfully. Let us quietly thank God for their presence in our lives.
Sr. Anne Lyng is a Sister of Mercy who currently works as a Pastoral Worker in the Archdiocese of Armagh.
