Scriptural Basis
1 Corinthians 3:10-14
Matthew 6:19-24
Blog Reflection
Labor Day is about the celebration of work and the worker, not the profit. We celebrate today that work is a cooperation with God's creative action. Whether a person is gainfully employed or not, the work we do on a daily basis even if all we do is volunteer or take care of our families at home we share in God's work of continuing to create and beautify the earth.
The good folks at Box Turtle Bulletin did a terrific job of writing about how Labor Day became the great holiday it did. The history of the coal miners in West Virginia and how the workers and their property were owned by the company store Country music star Tennessee Ernie Ford made these events famous through his hit song 16 tons. Labor Day was created to recognize the dignity and integrity of both work and the worker and the need for good wages, health care, time off for rest and relaxation so that workers could do a better job. Out of such a movement the rising up of labor unions and the incredible work they have done on behalf of workers continues to lift up and dignify the importance of those who labor in their work for the benefit of all as well as their own homes
This past year we have witnessed an unparalleled attack on workers and labor unions. The activity of Gov. Scott Walker and the Tea Party movement to make public workers from teachers to garbage collectors, fire fighters, police officers, those who keep our streets clean and operate public transportation appear like the villains responsible for the economic collapse of these past few years was so horrific and cowardly. What has happened is nothing short of valuing profits and gains over the dignity and integrity of workers and working.
The Christian Faith recognizes individuals and the things that cannot be seen as fundamentally imperative. Money and profits without the recognition of the dignity and integrity of every human person cannot provide stability or even lasting wealth. Wanting to harbor unlimited wealth and control those who are fortunate enough to live in their own homes, put their children through school so they can get and keep a good paying job and/or even affect the equal rights of those marginalized by the Church and society do not show an example of Christian spirituality or faithfulness.
Both Paul and Jesus tell us to work for the things that are important. To not store up for ourselves those things which others can steal from us or for a foundation that is not secure. The goodness contained within individuals of good will and those who hope for a better tomorrow by which those who are hungry have enough to eat, and those without homes can live somewhere attainable and sustainable without greed and inequality to invade have the heart of the Gospel at it's core. The recognition that all individuals regardless of their race, class, color, religion, sexual orientation, wealth status, health status, age, gender, gender identity/expression, language, culture are to be respected and offered the opportunity to work for their potential has the Christian Faith's mission at heart.
That is why I personally believe that any individual, denomination, political group or candidate who sides with the efforts to take away the collective bargaining rights of labor unions does not represent the holiness of Jesus Christ and the Church. Many individuals who have sided with Republican and Tea Party motives in this matter are also Christianists and/or dominionists. They seek to recreate the Christian Religion and the world around them according to their understanding of the Christian religion. Including the continued degrading of women, LGBT, immigrants, Muslims and many others through violent stereotyping and creating fear among people who will not think independently about such issues. In addition, these groups have also bought into the worst type of capitalism and corporate elitism we have seen in many years.
Jesus tells us that we cannot serve two masters. To serve capitalism and wealth, while promoting a Gospel of hate, exclusion and violence is certainly serving more than one master.
The work of activism that brings about the hope that all can share in the goodness of all the God gives us, including freedom from political, religious and social oppression has everything to do with storing up for ourselves the treasures that can last beyond this world into the next.
The reign the God offers humankind is not one of oppression and suppression. The hope that God offers through God's perfect revelation of Self in Jesus Christ is one by which everyone respects and loves each other, and together we serve God through each other. God's reign offers simplicity by which the resources God provides to one person, are shared with all people. In God's reign there is no dominionism, only love for God, neighbor and self. No labels. No stigmatizing. No one group dominating themselves over another. In God's reign everyone has a home and everyone who has served others for the common good find everything they worked so hard for. The faith of God's people find peace at last. No more wars or political mudslinging.
As we begin to move from Summer to Fall, we also prepare for the end of another Church year. The work towards welcoming God's reign that Christians have so long preached and worked for, won't find it's fulfillment through dominionism at the expense of others that do not match our standards. God's reign is inclusive and a place where unconditional love finds no better abode.
May our Labor Day celebration with it's rest and opportunity to reset ourselves, help us to recognize the dignity and integrity of the work and workers that God gives to all of us.
Prayers
1 Corinthians 3:10-14
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-- the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward.
Matthew 6:19-24
Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
"No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
Blog Reflection
Labor Day is about the celebration of work and the worker, not the profit. We celebrate today that work is a cooperation with God's creative action. Whether a person is gainfully employed or not, the work we do on a daily basis even if all we do is volunteer or take care of our families at home we share in God's work of continuing to create and beautify the earth.
The good folks at Box Turtle Bulletin did a terrific job of writing about how Labor Day became the great holiday it did. The history of the coal miners in West Virginia and how the workers and their property were owned by the company store Country music star Tennessee Ernie Ford made these events famous through his hit song 16 tons. Labor Day was created to recognize the dignity and integrity of both work and the worker and the need for good wages, health care, time off for rest and relaxation so that workers could do a better job. Out of such a movement the rising up of labor unions and the incredible work they have done on behalf of workers continues to lift up and dignify the importance of those who labor in their work for the benefit of all as well as their own homes
This past year we have witnessed an unparalleled attack on workers and labor unions. The activity of Gov. Scott Walker and the Tea Party movement to make public workers from teachers to garbage collectors, fire fighters, police officers, those who keep our streets clean and operate public transportation appear like the villains responsible for the economic collapse of these past few years was so horrific and cowardly. What has happened is nothing short of valuing profits and gains over the dignity and integrity of workers and working.
The Christian Faith recognizes individuals and the things that cannot be seen as fundamentally imperative. Money and profits without the recognition of the dignity and integrity of every human person cannot provide stability or even lasting wealth. Wanting to harbor unlimited wealth and control those who are fortunate enough to live in their own homes, put their children through school so they can get and keep a good paying job and/or even affect the equal rights of those marginalized by the Church and society do not show an example of Christian spirituality or faithfulness.
Both Paul and Jesus tell us to work for the things that are important. To not store up for ourselves those things which others can steal from us or for a foundation that is not secure. The goodness contained within individuals of good will and those who hope for a better tomorrow by which those who are hungry have enough to eat, and those without homes can live somewhere attainable and sustainable without greed and inequality to invade have the heart of the Gospel at it's core. The recognition that all individuals regardless of their race, class, color, religion, sexual orientation, wealth status, health status, age, gender, gender identity/expression, language, culture are to be respected and offered the opportunity to work for their potential has the Christian Faith's mission at heart.
That is why I personally believe that any individual, denomination, political group or candidate who sides with the efforts to take away the collective bargaining rights of labor unions does not represent the holiness of Jesus Christ and the Church. Many individuals who have sided with Republican and Tea Party motives in this matter are also Christianists and/or dominionists. They seek to recreate the Christian Religion and the world around them according to their understanding of the Christian religion. Including the continued degrading of women, LGBT, immigrants, Muslims and many others through violent stereotyping and creating fear among people who will not think independently about such issues. In addition, these groups have also bought into the worst type of capitalism and corporate elitism we have seen in many years.
Jesus tells us that we cannot serve two masters. To serve capitalism and wealth, while promoting a Gospel of hate, exclusion and violence is certainly serving more than one master.
The work of activism that brings about the hope that all can share in the goodness of all the God gives us, including freedom from political, religious and social oppression has everything to do with storing up for ourselves the treasures that can last beyond this world into the next.
The reign the God offers humankind is not one of oppression and suppression. The hope that God offers through God's perfect revelation of Self in Jesus Christ is one by which everyone respects and loves each other, and together we serve God through each other. God's reign offers simplicity by which the resources God provides to one person, are shared with all people. In God's reign there is no dominionism, only love for God, neighbor and self. No labels. No stigmatizing. No one group dominating themselves over another. In God's reign everyone has a home and everyone who has served others for the common good find everything they worked so hard for. The faith of God's people find peace at last. No more wars or political mudslinging.
As we begin to move from Summer to Fall, we also prepare for the end of another Church year. The work towards welcoming God's reign that Christians have so long preached and worked for, won't find it's fulfillment through dominionism at the expense of others that do not match our standards. God's reign is inclusive and a place where unconditional love finds no better abode.
May our Labor Day celebration with it's rest and opportunity to reset ourselves, help us to recognize the dignity and integrity of the work and workers that God gives to all of us.
Prayers
Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Labor Day, Book of Common Prayer, page 261).
Heavenly Father, whose Blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who following his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Prayer for Social Service, Book of Common Prayer, page 260).
Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Unemployed, Book of Common Prayer, page 824).
No comments:
Post a Comment