Labor Day: Catholic teachings on the labors of man

Labor Day is the celebration of the value and dignity of work, and its role in the American way of life.  But, the dignity and value of work is also deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian faith.  Let's explore that and as we do, it's a great occasion to reflect not only on our American heritage but also on the inherent dignity of our daily labors.

From the beginning God created the world, it was known by Him that man would need to till the soil, plant from seeds, raise animals to eat, and wild animals to hunt for food.  It would seem that the first work God intended was that of a farmer, a hunter, a gardener, of barter/trade.  (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31)  There is an inherent dignity of the father and mother of the family to labor for the children and the good of the community as they worked together.

As our holiday, Labor Day, is a celebration day of rest to laborers,  one must remember we are all given a day of rest...the 7th day of every week.  (Hebrews 4:9-11)  Not just a day of rest from toil but a day to devote to our Lord.  At the same time Labor Day is a great and fun weekend as an American holiday, we should not be too busy that we forget the day of rest our Lord gave us every week including Labor Day weekend.  It's a great American holiday to give praise and thanksgiving to God that He has allowed us to be laborers...that He has given us all we need here on earth to sustain our lives, our families.

Luke 9:23-24  Jesus said that anyone who wants to be His follower, to take up his cross every day and follow Him.  That's work.  That's being a laborer.  No easy task!   Labor Day...a day to be thankful that Jesus has given such a gift to all to carry our daily crosses that one might spend eternity gazing upon His face. 

A few monastic teachings on labor:

John Cassian spoke of work as an anchor which can stabilize the boat of our heart on the tumultuous waves of our thoughts.
(André Louf, The Cistercian Way, p.116)

Cistercian monastic day. It "belongs to the essential rhythm of a fully human life" (Charles Cummings, Monastic Practices, p.49). St. Benedict in his Rule gives first this reason: "Idleness is the enemy of the soul. Therefore, all the community must be occupied at definite times in manual labor" (Chapter 48). He goes on to say that "they will really be in the best monastic tradition if the community is supported by the work of their own hands"

Outwardly he was entirely given up to work, but inwardly he was entirely given up to God.
(William of St. Thierry, Vita Sancti Bernardi, 4:23)

An entire encyclical on the work of man by Holy Father Pope John Paul II, "Laborem Exercens" www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_14091981_laborem-exercens_en.html

Not only is Labor Day weekend one very fun weekend but it's a time of praise and thanksgiving to God for the gift of our labors ever so great and ever so small !