Labor Day: Work: It Does the Soul Good

Today's Scripture Readings

Ecclesiasticus 38: 27-32a (NRSV)

So it is with every artisan and master artisan

who labors by night as well as by day;

those who cut the signets of seals,

each is diligent in making a great variety;

they set their heart on painting a lifelike image,

and they are careful to finish their work.

So it is with the smith, sitting by the anvil,

intent on his iron-work;

the breath of the fire melts his flesh,

and he struggles with the heat of the furnace;

the sound of the hammer deafens his ears,

and his eyes are on the pattern of the object.

He sets his heart on finishing his handiwork,

and he is careful to complete its decoration.

So it is with the potter sitting at his work

and turning the wheel with his feet;

he is always deeply concerned over his products,

and he produces them in quantity.

He molds the clay with his arm

and makes it pliable with his feet;

he sets his heart to finish the glazing,

and he takes care in firing the kiln.

All these rely on their hands,

and all are skillful in their own work.

Without them no city can be inhabited,

and wherever they live, they will not go hungry.

Psalm 90 (BCP., p. 717)


1 Corinthians 3:10-14 (NRSV)

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 (NRSV)

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

Idleness is the enemy of the soul.  Therefore, the community members should have specified periods for manual labor as well as for prayerful reading.  (Rule of Benedict, Chapter 48)

The function of the spiritual life is not to escape into the next world; it is to live well in this one. (Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB.  The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century, p. 211).

Work is an essential part of human life.  Through the gift of work we participate with God in the very act of creation.  Whether the work is building something, cleaning something, work on the computer, cooking, serving, activism, organizing, volunteer or paid.  Work is one way that humans are actually doing things in concert if you will, with God.

Unfortunately in this world and especially this 21st Century, work is also tied to someone's wealth or even the growth and establishment of vulture capitalism.  Where by which, the richest of CEO's and those with financial and political resources that could easily feed six third world countries are given the power to control and benefit from others not being able to work to earn a decent living.  The ability to be able to afford the basics of life has become that much more complicated to achieve.  Worker unions that are struggling to establish safe working places, good wages, health care and retirement benefits are being silenced and losing their collective bargaining rights.  Pell Grants, scholarships and loans for higher education have been cut, and more students are graduating in debt so that they cannot find work in their chosen field.  Only to find themselves working in jobs that barely pay a decent wage so that they can just afford the basic needs of life. 

As Christians our concern needs to be not just thanking God for the gift of work, but also doing our part to help others in need, and to work to change the system that makes poverty so wide spread.  Our faith calls us to be participants in making society and the Church a more just and equal system where all people can find a decent job, and be paid a just wage.  For those who are unable to work through no fault of there own, Christians should share our resources with and on their behalf.  Such is the case with Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

There is also a need for Christians to be vocal and active in changing the many ways in which companies and employers are allowed to discriminate against perspective and/or current employees.  Whether because of one's race, religion, culture, language, sexual orientation and/or gender, gender identity/expression, disability and so on.  Sadly, even parish churches are known for having policies and practices that are biased in ways that do not reflect the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

As Christians we are told in today's Gospel to store up for ourselves treasures that matter in the Reign of God. By following what Sr. Joan said, living well in this world.  Living well by doing our part to care for our own needs, but also to be concerned about the needs of others.  Work is a way by which we participate in creation, by helping others to obtain what they need to live life well.  

May God prosper the works of our hands.

Amen.


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, p. 261).

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, p. 824)

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this
land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as
their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to
eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those
who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law
and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of
us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, p. 826).