23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

In the United States we always celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of September. Labor Day is more than an observation of the end of summer or the beginning of the football season. Created by the labor movement in 1882, Labor Day celebrates the "social and economic achievements of American workers"(US DOL). Labor Day received official government recognition by the US Congress in 1894.

The Catholic Church also has a long and distinguished history of supporting and encouraging labor movements throughout the world. Pope Leo XIII wrote a seminal document supporting labor and worker's rights, Rerum Novarum in 1891. There are six themes in Rerum Novarum that form part of today’s Catholic Social Teaching:

1. Cooperation between the classes – Labor and capital must work together (cooperate). Each has rights to be upheld and duties to society & the other classes.

2. Dignity of Work – Work should provide a decent life for workers & their families. Workers should have the right to safe working conditions and reasonable time off.

3. Just wage and worker’s associations - Right to a wage sufficient to provide a decent life for worker & family and right to unionize in order to negotiate wages & good working conditions.

4. Role of the State - State should not interfere in private/local matters, but may need to intervene for the Common Good ((Subsidiarity).

5. Private ownership of property - All have the right to own property and it must be equally available to all. Private property must be used for the Common Good.

6. Defense of the poor - Concern for and meeting the needs of the poor must be a priority not only for people of faith, but for government as well.

While many of these themes are widely assumed today, in 1891 they were revolutionary. Rerum Novarum was the first Catholic social encyclical. If you would like to read the document, go to: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html.

Last year the US Conference of Catholic Bishops published a Prayer for Labor Day. I am repeating it here for your reflection.

Prayer for Labor Day

As the sun rises to bring in the new day:

We remember those who descend into the earth,
their work begins in darkness,
pulling from the earth, the resources we steward.

We remember those who work inside a building
away from the light and brightness of the day.

We remember those who work outside in the harsh elements of our world,
the bitter cold and sweltering heat of extremes.

We remember those who do not have a job to go to,
who are struggling to meet the needs of their daily living expenses,
for whom the day becomes long and arduous.

As the sun sets to bring in the evening of rest:
We remember those who work in the night.

We remember those who are trying to recover from their labor and toils of the day.

We remember those who participate in unsafe and dangerous work.

We pray for a renewed sense of dignity in their lives and in their work.

God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the worker.

Make a place in our hearts for compassion to the men and women

who labor tirelessly for basic necessities.

Ensure a place for the men and women who are struggling to find work.

Grant us your wisdom to greet and care for those who are unable to work due to illness or circumstances that prevent their participation.

Be with the children who are not able to run and play,

but instead must put in a hard day’s work to help their family afford to eat, to live.

Be with us all, Christ Jesus,
as we go about the busyness of our work.

Hold us accountable not only for our actions,

but most importantly to each of our neighbors.

May we continue to work together to bring about your reign!

We ask this in your holy name, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.