Let's work
Saturday Post
Good morning and happy Saturday,
I am excited to announce that in just a few hours, Michigan Mornings® Saturday will premier on Ave Maria Radio. You can listen online wherever you are by clicking here. It will also be published here and in the podcast feed after it airs on the radio.
Over at Cor Fidei this week, Brandy Holt shares a poem about contrition.
This week at the Cor session in my parish, we began a very good series from the Knights of Columbus called Into the Breach: The Dignity of Work. The overarching point of the series is to remind Catholics (particularly men) that meaningful work promotes human dignity and advances the common good.
As we read in Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, “work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation.”
I have begun to think about this in the context of the “American Dream” as we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary.
The stereotypical image of the American dream is owning property, having a successful business, or perhaps enjoying a large amount of wealth. But since we Catholics are not materialists, I would argue the American dream goes deeper.
Through our work (our meaningful work), we can achieve all of those things, but we have a reason for doing so; the two greatest commands Jesus gives us are love God and love neighbor.
When we work and fulfill our vocation as a member of family or as a priest or in a religious community, we are both showing love of God and love of our neighbor. We are supporting our families and communities by the work we do.
The work that I do matters less than the reason I do it. Working in healthcare full time is not what I pictured myself doing ten years ago, but it supports my wife and children, keeps a roof over our heads, and food on the table.
The same is true for the people I know in my parish. Many of them worked in the iron ore mines in our community. When they were laid off, they’d mop floors and wash dishes at local restaurants. Not exactly glamorous work, but dignified work that supported their families.
When we think about the American dream, we ought not to think of it too selfishly (ie, what house or money can I get from this for me). We ought to think about how our success is benefiting those around us - our family, our Church, and our community.
If we turn our perspective outward, I would imagine that many people might realize that they have in fact achieved the American dream. They may not own a house or have a lot of wealth, but the meaningful work they do has a real impact on the people around them. They can know that their labor is an act of love. They are doing dignified work to support the people they care about.
Let me know what you think in the comments below or by sending an email to [email protected].
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
This Sunday we will hear from Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Psalm 86; Romans 8:26-27; and Matthew 13:24-43. In the Liturgy of the Hours we are entering Psalter Week IV.
Here is a calendar for the rest of the week:
Monday, July 20 - Memorial of St. Apollinaris, bishop and martyr (optional)
Tuesday, July 21 - Memorial of St. Lawrence of Brindisi, priest and doctor (optional)
Wednesday, July 22 - Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
Thursday, July 23 - Memorial of Bridget, religious (optional)
Friday, July 24 - Memorial of St. Sharbel Makhlūf, priest (optional)
Saturday, July 25 - Feast of St. James, apostle
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes.”
Matthew 11:25
In the news:
The United States
New report highlights disconnect between seminary formators and physiological experts - The Pillar
Jesuits merge five novitiates into two, one in Detroit and one in Culver City - OSV News
Sports: Spain vs. Argentina: a very Catholic World Cup final - America Magazine
The Vatican
The World
Society of St. Pius X appeals to Vatican against schism decree - EWTN News
The SSPX’s unappealing canonical prospects for recourse - Ed. Condon in the Pillar
Meet Britain’s first Catholic prime minister in 500 years - America Magazine
Persecution report: Pakistan court to review ruling in forced conversion, child marriage case - EWTN News
Ontario police investigating $600,000 in missing parish funds - The Pillar
Have a good weekend,
Matthew