Mar 22nd - Nicholas Owen

Do what you do and do it well because even the humblest of talents serves the Kingdom.
Nicholas was a carpenter. Eventually he became a lay Jesuit as well.
But first and foremost, he was a carpenter.
The thing that really distinguishes him is what he built in addition to tables, chairs, and other household items and home additions: priest holes. Possibly thousands of them but we will never know because when he was finally caught he refused to tell where they were.
He worked late into the night building them, while continuing to work in the daylight to keep suspicion down. His work protected the lives and reputations of many Catholics and priests living under the persecution of the English Reformation.
Not to say his work was simple, but what we must remember is that even simple work is necessary and requires us each to value the work of others no matter what we perceive as its value, especially in the month of St. Joseph and the coming celebration of Joseph the Worker. Catholic social teaching on the value of human work is worth our time to know.

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As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.’ Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

-- Matthew 11:7-11