Labor Day is the time we commemorate work and workers. From a scriptural perspective, work is divine activity. God worked, “Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, he rested.” (Gen. 2:2) In the Church, we

recognize that God, who loves us and cares about all aspects of our lives, is also concerned about our work lives. Our work situations can be fulfilling and empowering, or demeaning and humiliating. Our jobs determine the size of our incomes and whether we have health insurance and a pension. Our jobs are the main determinants of whether we live in a big house or any house at all, whether we send our children to college or to bed with an empty stomach.

If we are “doers of the word, and not merely hearers,” as James urged, then we must respond to Jesus’ call to love our neighbors. We must help those who have too little. We must change workplaces that degrade workers. Low-wage workers, immigrants, single mothers and members of minorities face daily

challenges to self-esteem, and with meager pay. In a 2000 poll, an employment research firm found 94% of Americans agree that people who work fulltime should be able to earn enough to keep their families out of poverty.

God’s reign does not end at the door of the workplace, but extends to people’s working lives also. What might we be called to do with our own creativity and talents to help create a just society and contribute to the common good?

- Adapted from Pax Christi Newsletter and Faith Works, Newsletter for Worker Justice