a meditation on the spirituality of work ~ as part of the ministry of everyday life

A Meditation onthe Spiritualityof Work ~

as part of the Ministry of Everyday Life

The word of God’s revelation is profoundly marked by the fundamental truth that human beings,

created in the image of God,

share by their WORK in the activity of the Creator . . .

On Human Labor ~ Pope John Paul II

Human beings – in a sense – continue to developthe activity of the Creator – and perfect it –

as they advancefurther and further

in the discovery of the resources and values

contained in the whole of creation.

On Human Labor ~ Pope John Paul II

The faithful, therefore must learn the deepest meaning and the value

of all creation,and its orientation

to the praise of God.

On Human Labor ~ Pope John Paul II

The knowledge thatby means of WORK

humanity shares in the work of creation constitutes the most profound motive for undertaking it

in various sectors.

On Human Labor ~ Pope John Paul II

On Human Labor ~ Pope John Paul II

By our labor we are unfolding

the Creator’s work and contributing to

the realization of God’s plan on earth.

The Christian message binds us firmly

to build the world . . . . . . . and to not neglect

our fellow human beings.

The eloquence of the life of Christ is unequivocal :

He belongs to the ‘working world ’ . . .

He has appreciation and respect for human work.

On Human Labor ~ Pope John Paul II

It can indeed be said that ‘He looks with love

upon human work’ and the different forms that it takes,

seeing in each one of these formsa particular facet of humanity’s

likeness with God, the Creator. . . .

On Human Labor ~ Pope John Paul II

While providing the substance of life

for themselves and their families,

men and women are performing their activities

in a way which appropriately benefits society.

On Human Labor ~ Pope John Paul II

In this way the WORLD will be permeated by the spirit of Christ

and more effectively achieve its purpose

in justice, charity

and peace . . . .

On Human Labor ~ Pope John Paul II

Work remains a good thing, not only because it is useful and enjoyable, but also because it expresses

and increases the worker’s dignity.

Through work we not only transform the world,

we are transformed ourselves . . . .

On Human Labor ~ Pope John Paul II

For when people work, they not only alter things and society, they develop themselves as well.

They learn much, they cultivate their resources, they go outside of themselves

and beyond themselves.

On The Church in the Modern World ~ Vatican II

Rightly understood, this kind of growth

is of greater value than any external riches

which can be garnered.

People are more precious for what they are

than for what they have. On Human Labor ~ Pope John Paul II

It should not be forgotten that even in our own day

work is very oppressive for many people,

either because of miserable working conditions and long hours – especially in the poorer regions of the world –

The Lord’s Day ~ Pope John Paul II

. . . or because of the persistence in economically

more developed societiesof too many cases of

injusticeand exploitation.

The economy must serve people, not the other way around.

Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God's creation.

If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected:

-- the right to productive work, -- to decent and fair wages, -- to organize and join unions, -- to private property, -- and to economic initiative.

. . . we are therefore reminded of

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

-- a key theme of Catholic Social Teaching ---

Excerpts from Sharing Catholic Social Teaching ~ U.S Catholic Conference

We inherit the work of the generations before us,

and we share in the building of the future

of all those who will come after us.

Mother and Teacher ~ Pope John Paul II

Awareness that humanity's work is a participation in God's activity

ought to permeateeven the

most ordinaryeveryday activities.

On Human Labor ~ Pope John Paul II

The shopping mall, the school, the kitchen table, the courtroom, the factory, and the office

can be altars of sorts– places where

the mundane labors of lifemay be offered up,

blessed, and transformed

into things of beauty and holiness.

From Sprituality@Work by G. F.Pierce

God is, in a sense, at the point of

my pen, my pick,my paintbrush, my needle – and my heart

and my thought.

It is by carrying to completion the stroke,

the line, the stitch I am working on

that I shall lay hold on the ultimate end towards which my will

at its deepest levels tends.Hymn of the Universe ~ Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

The Christian finds in human WORK

a small part of the Cross of Christ

and accepts it in the same spirit

of redemption in which Christ accepted His Cross for us.

On Human Labor ~ Pope John Paul II

. . . an announcement of ‘the new heavens

and the new earth’in which humanity and the world participate

precisely through the toil that goes with work.

In WORK, thanks to the light

that penetrates us from the Resurrection of Christ,

we always find a glimmer of new life . . .

On Human Labor ~ Pope John Paul II

May the goodness of the Lord be upon us,

And give success to the work of our hands.

Psalm 90:17

AMEN