Labor Day in America 2015

This year, Monday, Sept. 7 , will be celebrated as Labor Day in America.
Most Americans, veterans of the Armed Forces, and many legal immigrants, understand and appreciate that hard work — regardless of its type, style, or relative importance — is their duty and responsibility. They understand from their past experience and/or sacrifice that “any and all work” would make a lasting contribution to the improvement of the society which they desire to help shape. In many cases, today’s generation of parents has “cleared the path for the child,” rather than “prepare the child for the path”….
In the Bible (Book of Proverbs), the value of “work” and those who chose not to do so is clearly mentioned and referenced.
“In all labor there is profit, but mere talk tends only to loss. The crown of the wise is wealth; the diadem of fools is folly.”
“Those slack in their work are kin to the destroyer.”
“Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the sluggard goes hungry.”
“ The desire of sluggards will slay them, for their hands refuse to work.”
“Do you see those skilled at their work? They will stand in the presence of kings; but not in the presence of the obscure.”
“Those who cultivate their land will have plenty of food, but those who engage in idle pursuits will have plenty of want.”
And from another Book of the Bible: “ The sluggard is like a filthy stone; everyone hisses at his disgrace. The sluggard is like a lump of dung; whoever touches it shakes it off the hands.”
Today, thousands want to come to America to seek and find a better life, and lifestyle, with the freedom to practice their faith in God, and not be subjected to the rule of a king, dictator, or other form of oppressive government. If they, or any Americans, have or possess a certain identifiable work-ethic and desire, whereby their life is centered on the service to others, then they must fully appreciate that “work,” in all of its various forms, is an honor, a duty, and a privilege.
Each of us have different skills, talents, and abilities, and the contributions, which each of us can make by the use of these God-given skills, talents and abilities, are special and unique.
A notable religious order has existed for over 450 years, and they continue to believe that life is studded with ordinary opportunities to make subtle differences, all for the greater glory of God. Each of us can make those “subtle differences” by our work if we accept our work and labors as a duty, an honor, and a privilege. In the past, when a person or family needed help or assistance, they first turned to their family, friends, associates, neighbors, employer, or church, and not the government. Whether one performed a large or a small task, they were doing so to be of service to, and/or for, another.
Work or labor is our “duty.” As a created being — with a heart, a soul, a mind, and a free will — each of us was gifted with certain talents, abilities, and resources. Our mission in life is to be of service to our Creator and to one another, and to use those talents in the furtherance of this mission. We have a duty to care for ourselves, our families, and others who might need our assistance. Our work becomes a sacred duty since our failure to use our gifts and talents is viewed as selfish and wasteful. The American culture and society was built upon this duty of service to God, to country, and to others. All work, of any lawful, ethical, and moral type, is worthwhile since the task, regardless of its importance or significance, is needed and valued.
Work or labor is an “honor.” It is indeed an honor to use one’s ability and talents to improve, assist, enhance, and/or advise another and to put another’s needs in advance of one’s own self-interest. To give one’s best efforts in an endeavor is honorable when the object or goal is to benefit, or be of service to, another.
Whatever we do in a compensated job setting, or as a volunteer, and whatever work we perform, we should do so to the best of our abilities and talents since we are honored to be able to do so with the gifts and the time that we have been granted by our Creator.
Work or labor is a “privilege.” Unfortunately, many people are no longer able to perform work of any kind, and must rely upon assistance or help from others, whether paid or not. Our ability to perform work or labor, regardless of type, significance, difficulty, or pay scale, is truly a “privilege” which should be appreciated and respected
Any person able to perform work, should do so, whether compensated or not, since any and all contributions to, and in, the service to others is worthwhile and purposeful.
Many Americans will be fortunate to have time-off from work, for the holiday on Monday, Sept. 7. However, many others will be working on this day to insure that others can enjoy a lifestyle filled with the freedom to travel, shop, and/or participate in recreational, family, and/or civic and social events, etc.
Special thanks are due to our military, intelligence, and Armed Forces, and all law enforcement, firefighter, emergency and other medical services personnel, and the ordained clergy, for their work, and daily displays of self-less commitment and service to others.
As you encounter a sales or stock clerk, a cashier, a flight attendant, a server in a food establishment, or any other service or product provider, thank them for their efforts, in making our life experience better, and for being of service to others and to us.
Any and all tasks in service to others is admirable, needed, and worthy of respect. Those who have work positions of any type have a duty, an honor, and a privilege, in their work. Commitment, dedication, and service to others, and/or our community, church, city, state, and country through work, compensated and volunteer, made America great in the past and will continue to be the source of Her Greatness in the future. May we all seek to find those “ordinary opportunities to make subtle differences” for the greater glory of God.
The below special prayer seems appropriate for Labor Day, and for every day thereafter ...
“Lord, obtain for me the grace to toil in the spirit of penance, in order thereby to atone for my many sins; to toil conscientiously, putting devotion to duty before my own inclinations; to labor with thankfulness and joy, deeming it an honor to employ and develop, by my labor, the gifts I have received from Almighty God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties; to work above all with a pure intention and with detachment from self, having always before my eyes the hour of death and the accounting which I must then render of time ill-spent, of talents unemployed, of good undone, and of my empty pride in success, which is so fatal to the work of God….”
May you, your family, friends, neighbors, and associates enjoy a safe and happy Labor Day!
J.H. Campbell Jr.
jcampbell@agbr.com