Our Lady of Lourdes Church and School

On this Labor Day weekend, it might be appropriate to reflect a little on the nature and meaning of human work.

According to the website of the US Department of Labor, “Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”

Viewed from the perspective of our Catholic faith, the nature and meaning of human work goes beyond the immediate personal and national benefits, which are certainly very real. We have a long-standing tradition of teaching on the nature of human labor that can serve to deepen our appreciation for work in our lives and of its importance not only for our personal benefit, but also for the benefit of our relationship with God and with one another.

In the Genesis narrative, we understand that human labor precedes the fall of humanity from original grace (Gen 2:15). The significance of this is that we do not understand human labor as something which is a punishment for original sin, but rather, we understand that our work is part of our “collaboration” with God in bringing to perfection the ongoing work of creation (CCC 378). Thinking of our work as being expressive of our human dignity in God is an amazing way to approach our efforts to make the world a better place.

Human work is a responsibility to which everyone is called. However, that is not to say that everyone is called to the same kind of work. For example, for some, physical labor may not be possible, but everyone is called to play their part in the work of God’s creation. If physical labor is mine to do, so be it. But if I am grown frail under the burden of years, or if my abilities are different, then my work may be my prayerful support of those engaged in active labor. The gospel reminds us that to the one to whom, much is given, much is expected. To each according to their giftedness at the hand of God (Mt 25:15)

Daily work, if “accomplished in the Spirit”, can rightly be understood as part of all that we might offer of our lives as “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” As such human work has a certain sacrificial sense to it, when brought to God as a prayer or an offering.

Human work is a means by which we participate in the ongoing unfolding of God’s saving work. Put another way we understand human work as part of our living out our human vocation to holiness of life. Whatever work we do, we are called to do it as fully and as well as we may, giving witness to our faith in Jesus Christ and witnessing to gospel values as his disciple. Our love for others, our service and care of others, the manner of our commitment to who we are as children of God is lived out in our places of work. In other words, our discipleship of Jesus is lived out in our workplaces (CCC 2427) just as in every other arena of our lives.

And a final reflection for this column is that our work is not simply self-serving, or for our own personal good, but that it has a communal sense in which the community benefits. When I do a good job at my work, others benefit from that effort on my part. My fellow workers benefit and their work is enhanced. Those who benefit directly from our collective work enjoy the communal fruit of our labors. But even beyond that, while we certainly benefit ourselves from our labor, the benefits we enjoy are benefits we can share with others. The ways in which I care for my family, the ways in which I provide education for my children, the ways in which I look out for others… all of this is part of the collaborative nature of my work that makes the world a better place. And when I am considering what charitable works I might contribute to, either with my time, my talents, or my treasure, I am participating in building up the Reign of God, and helping to do my part for the common good.  

Have a wonderful Labor Day and enjoy the holiday!