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). 

Labor Day: Celebrating Work and the Worker: Not the Profit

Scriptural Basis 

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).