Labor Day Weekend

My Dear Parishioners,

Wow, Labor Day Weekend is here. Hopefully everyone will have an opportunity to spend some quality time with family and friends and to get some rest for your labors. Hopefully everyone will also be able to take a few moments and reflect on the true significance of human labor.

I come from a long line of union members. They would include IBEW, Teamsters, Steelworkers, Drywall Finishers, Carpenters. I myself was a member of the Machinists Union for many years. So, Labor Day Weekend has had special significance for me and my family.

Which brings us to the importance of work. The ability to work, the ability to use our minds and our hands to make something new, is a gift from God. God gave us this gift so that we could share in His work of Creation.

Think of this truth the next time you mow the lawn, clean the house, do your schoolwork, log onto your computer, take out your tools, punch the time clock, pick up a pencil, start your car, start your day at work: God gave us the power to work in order to give us a share in His work of Creation!

Then God said: Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the tame animals, all the wild animals, and all the creatures that crawl on the earth. God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and God said to them: Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that crawl on the earth (Genesis 1: 26-28)…. The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it (Genesis 2:15).

Scripture further encourages us to approach work with the right attitude: Do not hate hard work; work was assigned by God (Sirach 7:15). Plans are made in human hearts, but from the LORD comes the tongue’s response. All one’s ways are pure in one’s own eyes, but the measurer of motives is the LORD. Entrust your works to the LORD, and your plans will succeed….. The human heart plans the way, but the LORD directs the steps (Proverbs 16: 1-3, 9). Blessed are all who fear the LORD, and who walk in his ways. What your hands provide you will enjoy; you will be blessed and prosper (Psalm 128: 1-2).

Our Baptism, furthermore, gives us a share in God’s work of recreating the world. By this, I mean that God has given us a role in sanctifying the world, in making the world a Holier place. Thus, in all we do, we should do it for the Glory of God and the good of souls. As Jesus instructs us: Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal (John 6: 27). St. Paul further adds: And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him….Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others, knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ (Colossians 3: 17, 23-24).

So, by sending us off to work, God is really sending us off to sanctify the places where we work. Which means, of course, always taking the high road in our dealing with others. It means always watching our language, making sure that we are only saying the good things that others need to hear. I also believe that it means that we should be praying for our co-workers and their needs and intentions. With just these simple few steps, we really do fulfill our obligation to work for the Kingdom, and we really do make the world just a little Holier.

It also means that we should entrust all of our work to God. We should seek God’s help to start our work and then bring it to completion in a good way. A good prayer for this could be: Direct, we beg you, O Lord, our actions by your holy inspirations, and grant that we may carry them out with your gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may begin always with you, and through you be happily ended. Amen.

We can also always invoke St. Joseph the Worker as we begin any task and ask for his aid: God our Father, Creator and Ruler of the universe, in every age you call us to use and develop our gifts for the good of others. With St. Joseph as our guide, help us to do the work you have asked and come to the rewards you have promised. Please grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

On behalf of our Deacon Frank and our staff, I wish all a very happy Labor Day Weekend. May God’s Holy Angels and Saints always watch over you and your families and protect you.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, pray for us!

St. Joseph the Worker, pray for us!

Fr. Michael J Pawelko, pastor