For over a century, Americans have
celebrated Labor Day on the first Monday in September. This national holiday
was established in the 1880s for two reasons: to mark the irreplaceable role of
the American worker in making this country prosperous and strong; and to have
time to attend speeches and events on the spiritual and educational aspects of
work, the worker and the good that comes from work.
From the very beginning of our Sacred Scriptures, God the
Creator is revealed to be quite different from the gods of the various pagan
religions. Unlike the greek gods who lay in luxury on Mt. Olympus, for example,
aloof from the toils of man, the God of the Bible is very clearly a worker. He’s
more like a farmer, gardener, a sculptor, and builder than an apathetic
aristocrat.
God is intimately involved in His creation, getting his
hands dirty to bring about his salvific plan. He cultivates land into a garden.
He fashions man out of the clay of the earth.
It follows then, that created in God’s, image man and woman,
too, are to be workers—filling the earth, subduing it. God personally creates,
sustains, cultivates, and redeems the world, and so our work is a continuation
of God’s own labors. Whether you are a factory worker, a teacher, a nurse, an
engineer, a parent, or retired but still giving your time in service, work is
the way we participate in God’s creative action.
Good honest work is also at the service of others: The
person who garbage man is making life safer and more pleasant for his
neighbors. The parent who prepares a meal is serving the well-being of their
family. The student who studies hard is preparing to offer their gifts to
society in the future.
But work is not meant to consume us or define us entirely.
God Himself rested on the seventh day, teaching us that while work is good, it
is must not be all-consuming. Our ultimate dignity does not come from
productivity but from being children of God. That’s why Labor Day, like the
Sabbath, calls us not only to honor work, but also to remember the importance
of reflection and renewal in God.
In the Gospel today, those who use the talents given to them
by their master are praised by the Lord, and those who squander them and hide
them, are condemned.
Labor Day is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on how you
have used your talents for the glory of God and for betterment of your family
and fellow man, to repent of those times when talent has gone squandered, and
also to listen to the voice of inspiration. Even if you are retired from formal
work, you do well to consider what new project might God be calling you to, in
order to serve the community and the Church.
As we prayed in our Psalm today, may the Lord grant success
to the work of our hands, and in all things, in all pursuits, in all our labors
help us to serve Him, for the cultivation of the earth, for the building up of
His kingdom, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
That all Christians will work together in harmony for the
building up of the Church and the spread of the Gospel
That our young people, especially those at risk of
disengaging from society, may come to discover the fulfillment found in work
and self-sacrifice.
For the unemployed and underemployed, and that all who work
may receive a just reward for their labors.
For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow,
isolation, addiction, or disease: may they know God’s strength and peace and
the assistance of the Christian people.
For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, those who
have supported us by their work, those who fought and died for our freedom, for
all of the souls in purgatory and for X, for whom this mass is offered.
Gracious Father, you created us in your divine image, hear
our prayers, and grant us the help we need to work always for your Holy Will,
through Christ Our Lord.
