Tomorrow is Labor Day. Originally established to recognize the work of the labor unions in bringing about reforms in salaries and working conditions. It has come to be a day to celebrate all work and to reflect on the meaning of work.  

As Catholics, we see work as entering into a partnership with God in the act of creation. God has given us the raw stuff of creation, and work is what we do with God’s creation. God creates trees, and we build homes. God gives us plants, and we create food and medicines. On and on, all work is the fashioning of things out of the stuff of the earth.

Let us pray for those who do not have adequate work to provide for themselves and their families. Pray that we will be respectful of the earth as we gather materials for our work.