As a nation, this Monday we celebrate Labor Day. On this day we honor all those who labor for a living. We are encouraged to thank them for their service to their families, and for their service to all those who benefit from their efforts. In addition, we can remember and pray for all those who are now retired after many years of labor, and for the unemployed and underemployed.
The Catholic Church focuses on the dignity of the human person, and the dignity of labor since labor is clearly important to the human experience. As previously noted, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2427, 2428) states:
– “Human work proceeds directly from persons creatid in the image of God and called to prolong the work of creation.”
– “Work honors the Creator’s gifts, and the talents received from him.”
– In work, the person exercises and fulfills in part the potential inscribed in his nature. The primordial value of labor stems from man himself, its author, and its beneficiary.”
– “Everyone should draw from work the means of providing for his life and that of his family, and of serving the human community.”
Our Holy Father Pope Francis also spoke about the dignity of labor, reminding the faithful that Jesus and Saint Joseph were workers. He also stressed that the safety of the worker should be protected. We offer a thanksgiving prayer to not only thank the Lord for our Labor Day blessings, but to also thank Him for blessing us with work. May we never forget to thank God for all the work that comes to us, because these are His blessings.
The following “Labor Day Prayer for Thanksgiving” from the media outlet “Christian.net”, thanks God for the gift of work.
Ever loving Father, thank You for the gift of work.
Not all of us are blessed with these opportunities.
But with Your blessing, I am able to work.
With You, I am able to support myself and those around me.
I know that this was Your plan for me; to work hard and serve others
to teach me that the servitude I do is all in and for Your name.
May we all have a blessed Labor Day<
that keeps You at the center of all our celebrations.
This prayer I lift to You. Amen.
As we reflect on this prayer, and as we celebrate Labor Day, we are encouraged to make it more than a day of rest and recreation. Our bishops remind us that it should also be a day of prayer, when we honor those who labor for a living, including those who labor in various ways for the Lord. They deserve our respect and appreciation.