Suggested Readings for Labour Day
First Reading: Gen 1: 26 -2:3 or Col 3:14; 15, 17, 23 – 24
Gospel Reading: Mathew 13:54 - 58
Introduction
You probably have seen the poster in some offices which says,
"God looked at my work and he was pleased.
But when he looked at my salary, he wept."
This poster underlies some anxiety that employees might have about how their work is valued by their employers. The flip side of this, of course, would be to pose the question: Why do we work? Is it just to make some money?
More importantly does God have a purpose in mind for us as we spend 40-60 hours plus, a week, in the workplace? This year’s theme for Labour Day is “Promoting economic growth through decent work agenda”. Most of us struggle with our attitudes towards work. It has to do with how we view our work, how we treat each other as employer and employee and also how we interact with our colleagues at work and even with our clients. All of these have a bearing on economic growth and the prosperity of a country. It is fitting then that we stop for a while, to discuss these matters on Labour Day
The significance of Labour Day for a Christian worker
Every year on 1st May, many countries celebrate Labour Day. The day is usually marked by marching, speeches and award-giving ceremonies mostly organised by the trade unions. For Christians, especially Catholics, Labour Day is an opportunity to pray and celebrate with workers around the world. This is because 1st May, in the Catholic Church, is celebrated as the day dedicated to St. Joseph, the worker and foster father of Jesus. In the suggested readings for 1st May, the Gospel of Matthew refers to Jesus as “the carpenter’s son” (verse 55). And yet in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is simply referred to as “the carpenter” or the worker. There can be no doubt that Jesus was a man of work and we know he valued work. Certainly as a carpenter, he must have sweated, got dirty and even experienced the tedious nature of work.
The first reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians offers something to think about when reflecting on our work. We read:
“Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord.
“Over all these things put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.”
This again emphasises what a person’s attitude to work should be.
Pope John Paul II, of happy memory, had some very interesting thoughts on work. In his writing, entitled “On Human Work” (Laborem Exercens) Pope John Paul II outlines three important requirements that are needed for any type of work to be considered suitable for the human person. Work, he says, must remunerate. In other words, it must allow for the workers’ livelihood. When we employ anyone to do work for us, the employee should be able to draw from that work the means of providing for their life and that of their family. Work must also be fulfilling. It should be normal to like what we do and see our work as contributing something to society. Above all, work must help build God’s Kingdom here on Earth. This means because of our work we will be building a world of unity; one where freedom reigns supreme and one where the dignity of the human person is valued. Any decent work agenda will take care of the three fundamentals that Pope John Paul II proposes. Workers will be happy to provide for their families and hopefully they too will do their best to enhance productivity for their employers. Having said this, we know from experience that there are challenges in satisfying the three fundamentals proposed by John Paul II.
In spite of the challenges, it is inspiring to note from this year’s Labour Day theme, that the Social Teaching of the Church coincides with and is being applied by the Government, the unions and the employers who are the three pillars of Labour Day celebrations in this country.
It is therefore important for all of us to reflect on individual attitudes towards work agenda. If our attitude towards work is positive, we will create an environment in which we work harder; treat each other as employer and employee with respect; promote better understanding amongst colleagues at work and improve on customer care. We will then be one step towards promoting economic growth through decent work agenda.
May God bless the worker at home, on the farm, on the road, in the office and wherever else he or she may be found.
Amen
