Happy Labor Day! But why celebrate Labor Day? Here is a brief but worthwhile reflection penned by Deacon Jim Kasprzak of Saint Thomas Aquinas parish and Saint John Student Center in East Lansing. Deacon Kasprzak, pictured, is also the Secretary of the Diocesan Commission on Catholic Social Teaching. He writes:
Our celebration of Labor Day honors the dignity of all those who work and the dignity of work itself. Remember that God’s divine plan for creation from the beginning includes humankind doing ‘human work’, giving ‘human work’ the same dignity as God’s ‘divine work’ of creation. “The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate it and care for it.” (Genesis 2:15)
Catholic Social Teaching proclaims that work has dignity and a place of honor in God’s plan for creation. Work provides the means for men and women—created with dignity in God’s image and likeness—to share in God’s creation in building a decent and fulfilled life for themselves and their families. The element of ‘rest’ completes God’s infinitely wise and ‘very good’ work of creation. “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work He had done in creation.” (Genesis 2:3)
On this Labor Day, take time to rest, to give thanks to God for the work He has called you to do and to reflect on the goodness of God’s gift of creation.