I am deeply grateful that I have a job that I love, that I wake up each morning happy and eager to get to the office, that I return home most days satisfied and ready for more.
I salute those whose jobs are tough, dirty, dangerous or perhaps repetitive, routine and mind-numbingly dull.
I am concerned for those who are under-employed or whose work is temporary and without benefits.
I stand in solidarity with those in developing countries who do back-breaking work and are paid a mere pittance.
I ache with those who have no job at all.
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
I cannot think of anything to add to that except Amen!
Simon,
How can I argue with “Amen”?
Paul
Amen, indeed.
Fran,
Ah, I see you agree with me!
Paul
Yes, still lots of unemployed/underemployed people out there. Let’s keep them in our prayers this Labor Day.
Enjoy the holiday, everyone.
Bob,
Indeed. Our prayers, our efforts and our votes should privilege the unemployed, the poor and the vulnerable.
Paul
I am currently unemployed as my last temp job ended in May. I had the luxury of being able to spend such time in awaiting new baby grandchild who is now almost 2 mths old. I hope I can find part-time work soon. As the last job was unexpected via an agency; I trust in God to find me something else. I do pray for those who genuinely seek employment and risk losing their homes and those who struggle to feed their families. Here in Britain the Welfare State is abused by many thus giving a bad name to genuine people. I “Thank God” my husband is in employment, glory alleluia.
Katy,
I agree about your husband having work. At the Press, I am conscious that 8 or 9 people are the only ones working in their families. It is a source of constant worry for them.
Paul
Each person can contribute to our society no matter how menial their job and I am deeply grateful to those whose jobs are difficult and whose jobs I wouldn’t want to do. Before I retired I was certainly blessed to have work that I enjoyed with a company that cares about the people.
The only thing I would add to the list is my concern about child labour around the world. Here in my city near Toronto, a young lad who was 12 years old at the time founded an organization called “Free the Children” in 1995. Today, Free The Children is the world’s largest network of children helping children through education, with more than one million youth involved in our innovative education and development programs in 45 countries.
Lynda,
Thank you for the timely reminder that we need to be attentive to the plight of children who are forced into work.
Paul
http://www.theharvestfilm.com……………….”The children who feed America”. That’s all that I need to say about child labor in the US. This site says it all.
Sorry for repeating this but it deserves repeating – and it didn’t come out as it was – this is a shocker!!!!
http://www.theharvestfilm.com/
Thank you Simon. Labor bill was voted down by our esteemed members of congress (AGAIN) which would protect these children. I find it appalling that our president would enact amnesty for children and young adults illegally in this country while he turned a blind eye on this blatant exploitation, whilst the “first lady” tells everyone to eat their fresh fruits and veggies! Anyone think those corporate farms can be called “small family farms”? We need another boycott!! Everyone in this country should be outraged by this!! Not only was the CARE Act voted down, but our country also refused to sign on to labor standards of the ICLO. Somalia, Sudan (I think) and the US were the only countries who refused. Aren’t we *special*!!!
Emma,
How good to hear from you! Thanks for the link. I am traveling and have a very slow connection. I shall check it out when I return home.
Paul
Having watched several family members formerly and currently struggling with unemployment and underemployment I have noticed how much it robs their sense of self worth. So many think of work as a burden something to get through until retirement and forget that labor can give birth to a sence of purpose even if just the ablity to support our families.
That is a great point Maura. I know someone extremely well who was made unemployed almost a decade ago. I am not sure what it is about him that people don’t like when they see his CV but I don’t think he has even had an interview for the past two or three years. He is well qualified, has bags of experience and not one job offer has come his way. He is what some employers and economists now call “unemployable.” He has been out of the workforce for so long that human resources departments (box tickers) do not even consider him as being a possible candidate for roles that he is eminently capable of filling. The damage that the lack of a sense of purpose has done to his sense of self worth is devastating.
Maura,
Yes, there is a dignity to work and its lack can have pretty severe consequences.
Paul
I too am with Simon in a great and grateful Amen.
I see that picture above and think of my husbands grandfather who died in a coal mine in Wales or my own grandfather who diligently cleared and worked the rocky land of the Tug Hill Plateau in NY while running a dairy farm. My own mother, who at 77 is a waitress at my sisters restaurant (and a good one!) and who has been a waitress for the past 35 years because it was the best way to support all of us…talk about underemployed. I am grateful for thier sacrifices in the workforce that gave us a better life. The only way to repay any of them is to be a good legacy.
Annette,
Your mention of the Tug Hill plateau brought back many happy memories of my 15 years in Central New York… but I know that it provided (provides?) a tough existence for many people.
Paul
Fr. Paul, I would have foregone commenting but I could not shake off this Labor Day sharing of yours. It has touched me deeply and have made it my special prayer for today. Maybe, Jesus felt it too?
Dolly,
Of one thing I am sure, that Jesus feels deeply for us in our struggles and in our joys.
Paul
I was reminded of a coworker who has till the end of this month to meet a certain productivity standard. She is now facing the possiblity of unemployment. Her husband just lost his job.
She is such an amazing person to work with.
With the lean philosophy-there are all kinds of pressures.
Those in management having to make difficult decisions.
I just feel sick about this whole situation.
I am hoping and praying about this situation.
Carol,
I, too, feel sick about the whole situation.
Paul
Paul, Thank you for a poignant and powerful prayer. I hauled 3000 pounds of paving stones by hand this weekend – and spent some of it praying for those who are worn out by hard physical labor. I was grateful for no one harassing me when I stopped for a break, for ice water that was a few feet away in the fridge, for hot showers, and for the thought that come Wednesday I will be try to move students, not stones.
May the fall term unfold with grace for everyone – whether you are in school or not!
Michelle,
3000 pounds! Way to go.
And, yes, “voluntary” labor is so much better than any other kind.
Paul
A few years ago I came across a prayer for those who are unemployed; I believe it was from the Anglican Book of Prayers. While I could not find the exact copy, it went something like this:
Dear Lord, please make us mindful of those who suffer not just from a financial standpoint but also from the anxiety from the stress from being out of work. Please send forth your Spirit to guide those in government and commerce to work together so that all those who are willing and able to suitable and fulfilling employment at a just and fair wage. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Tim,
A beautiful prayer. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Paul
dear paul,
beautiful post
dignity of labor, dignity n pride in what we do…..
unemployment hurts..