Tomorrow we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker.
Concerning work St. Josemaria Escriva stated: “Work is man’s original vocation. It is a blessing from God, and those who consider it a punishment are sadly mistaken. The Lord, who is the best of fathers, placed the first man in Paradise ut operaretur, so that he would work.”
Many of us hold jobs which provide for one’s needs and the need’s of one’s own family. It is easy to get caught up in work and to use it as an excuse to why we have no time for prayer. The phrase “ora et labora” “work and pray” is found within the Rule of Saint Benedict.
This phrase should make see the relationship that exists between work and prayer. The beauty of Opus Dei is that nothing new is being required of an individual, but rather they are to take up the Work of God in their daily life. In other words in the midst of our work, recreation, and time spent with family and friends we are to strive to be saints.
Saint Josemaria Escriva stated: “Before God, no occupation is in itself great or small. Everything gains the value of the Love with which it is done.” Going on with this idea he states “You cannot sanctify work which humanly speaking is slapdash, for we must not offer God badly-done jobs.”
Therefore, as men, let us come to sanctify our daily activities especially that of our labor. Let us begin to see our labor as an action of prayer. Always completing the tasks set before us to the best of our ability. Saint Joseph shows us the beauty of our labor for he took no task lightly. In the midst of the busyness of our work let us realize it’s connection to prayer. When is difficult come to “offer it up.” When there is a moment of silence allow your mind to be taken to the tabernacle to dwell their in prayer. Keep before a crucifix, rosary, and other religious images that your sight may always be set upon our Lord.
