The Tablet September 4, 2004

Labor Day Reflections

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

On this Labor Day weekend, we have an opportunity not only to end the summer season with an extra day of rest, but also to reflect upon human work and its real meaning in our lives. In one of his first encyclicals, "Laborem Exerens," our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, wrote regarding the dignity of human work. This encyclical is centered on the innate dignity of each human being, especially on the work each of us is given to accomplish. Work, in fact, is something sacred. It is not a burden or curse inflicted upon the human race. Rather, it is an invitation to work with the Creator in the recreation of the world. The work that each one of us does is, in fact, the means of our sanctification. It is our personal path to holiness when we offer back to God the work that we do.

The liturgy that we celebrate is called the "work of the Church." Each person brings his or her own labor and struggle to the Eucharist and joins it to Christ whose redemptive work saved the world. Each one of us has an important part in the continuation of the mystery of Christ's redemptive love, accomplished through the work that the Father gave Him to accomplish.

Each year the U.S. Bishops' Conference issues a Labor Day statement. This year's statement is entitled, "Global Trade That Works for All." The globalization phenomenon that we face in the world today has had some negative effects, as well as some positive effects. This statement directs its attention towards the open trade agreements which have had some negative effects on developing nations. NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement) and U.S.-CAFTA (U.S.- Central American Free Trade Agreement) have caused considerable debate and controversy. The statement says, "As the debate around the trade heats up, many voices will be heard – government officials, proponents and opponents of trade agreements, industry and labor lobbyists, economists and activists. Sadly, those least likely to be heard or to have a place at the table are families and workers struggling to make ends meet."

Our Holy Father has called for a "globalization of solidarity," which in effect means that the progress the world is making should not be made to the detriment of anyone. Rather, progress made together should positively affect all. We have much to learn as a nation of how we can effectively use our superior economic position to positively affect the world and its people. Although at the present time our nation seems to be struggling in the midst of economic uncertainty, by far we are still the major economic power in the world. This power brings with it a major responsibility to act responsibly and morally in using the resources at our disposal for the good of all.

Any commemoration of Labor Day cannot help but make recognition of the labor movement in our country and the historical support and collaboration between the, Church and the worker. The Church has been a staunch supporter of working people and the labor movement. In practice, the participation in the Collective Bargaining Process, which comes as a result of the worker's right to organize, provides for an open and complete negotiation of many aspects of employment. The experience of our Church in regard to workers in hospitals, cemeteries, high schools and even the parish grammar schools currently the subject of negotiations, give evidence to the respect for the worker. To say that labor negotiations are sometimes difficult is not a condemnation of the process but rather an indication that both labor and the Church must work together for the benefit of each other.

As you celebrate this Labor Day, I hope that you will reflect upon your own personal vocation to work. No matter what that work is, it is, indeed, important work to the world, to the Church, and most especially to your relationship to God. In this way, God brings you into a union with Himself. We are called constantly to put out into the deep, finding every means possible to strengthen our relationship between God and ourselves.