Word to the Wise
Monday, September 3, 2007 - Labor Day (St. Gregory the Great)
[Genesis 1:26-2:3 and Matthew 25:14-30]Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, God rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.
Grumble, grumble! How come I have to work on the seventh day? Oh well, I take Fridays off. And on Labor Day I will celebrate two Masses! The Lord's work of creation seems a bigger project and more worthy of attention. The passage from Genesis focuses on the work of the sixth day: the creation of human beings. And as Shakespeare writes: "What a piece of work is man!" God gives humanity a mission that has been interpreted in ways that are exploitative. "Dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth" appears to mean to some the same as catch all the fish, shoot all the birds, and figure out a way to turn all the rest into cash. Thus human labor attempts to undo all of God's labor! I really don't think that is what God had in mind. I think the Lord's intent is more like the Master in the gospel who entrusts the wealth to stewards to care for. On Labor Day, we can fruitfully spend a few moments asking about the various ways in which we "work." What good for our world comes from our efforts? How would we answer that question if the Lord asked it? We can also pray for those who want employment but are unable for whatever reason to obtain it. Last of all we can praise God for the good that we are able to do in our work and as the Psalm prays: "Prosper the work of our hands for us! Prosper the work of our hands!" [Ps. 90:17] AMEN