God’s Gift of Labor
After a long week of work, we may not feel that human labor is a gift from God, but it is important to recall that indeed it is a divine gift. In the beginning, human labor was created by God for us who were created in His image and likeness. In the midst of the work of creation by the hand of God, humanity was called to take responsibility for all of creation: “God blessed them, and God said to them: “… 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.”
Human beings subdue or use creation for the common good such as providing for our family, seeking cures for diseases, building affordable homes, or volunteering in the food pantry etc… And we only have right to have dominion or control over creation when our actions are in harmony with all the other creatures God has made. There is dignity in our labor as we imitate God, Who in Genesis 2:2, “completed the work he had been doing….”
It is only after the Fall of Adam that human labor becomes difficult. (Genesis 3:17-19) Whether it is plowing a field, sitting in front of a computer for eight hours or caring for a colicky baby, we know the feeling of exhaustion and frustration. Some days work may seem like a hopeless mess in spite of our best efforts. It is in situations like this that we need to remember the words of Psalm 90: 17: “And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us. Prosper the work of our hands for us; Yes, prosper the work of our hands" (An excellent prayer even on the good days!)
When the Son of God breaks into history, He reminds us by His actions and His teaching that the original dignity of labor was established by God. Known as a son of a carpenter, (Mt: 13:55) Jesus follows in the footsteps of Joseph and becomes a carpenter Himself. (Mk: 6:3). His closest disciples are fishermen, not the teachers of the law who never seemed do manual labor. His disciples could readily identified with Jesus’ parables because for the most part He used stories about working men and women: The Sower (Mt:13), The Woman kneading the dough (Lk 13:20), The Parable about the Net (Mt: 13-47 ff) etc.…
Furthermore, Jesus is explicit in using labor as a means of explaining His mission. “I am the Good Shepherd” (Jn: 10), His Father is the vine dresser (Jn 15). And His greatest lesson taught to His disciples (and to us) about the virtue of work is the Washing of the Disciples Feet. (Jn: 13). When we serve others by imitating the example of Jesus, we give honor and glory to God our Father.
As we celebrate Labor Day this Monday, let us give honor and glory to God by working with honesty and integrity at the task at hand. Let us pray that the unemployed find meaningful work and that the retired members of our community remember that the work of building the Kingdom of God is always before us. We are all co-creators with God as we labor each and every day.
