THE SPIRITUALIY OF WORK

 

 

 

I.Scripture                                                                                                                          

 

A.God as one who works-creation (Genesis 1:31)

                                                                       

B.Man/woman, created in God’s image and likeness, (Genesis 1:27) is one who also works (Genesis 1:28 & 2:15)

 

C.Rest is a balance with work (Genesis 2:1-3)

 

D.Work after the fall (3:17-19)

 

 

 

II. The Incarnation “Like us in all things but sin” Joseph-carpenter. Jesus working 30 years before his public ministry

 

III. Peter as a fisherman (Mark 11:6-18 & John 21:1-3)

 

IV. Paul as a worker (2 Thes.3:6-13)

 

V.Monastic view-prayer, spiritual reading, and work

 

A.     Making a living-not being a burden

B.     Providing alms

C.     Avoiding idleness-“wasting time”

D.     Work-“Love made visible”

 

VI. St. Thomas Aquinas-“There would be no joy in life if there is no joy in one’s work”

 

 

VII. Church view in modern times

 

A.Rerum Novarum (The Condition of Labor-1891)-Leo XIII

 

B.Quadragesimo Anno ( The Reconstruction of the Social Order-1931)-Pius XI

 

C.Octogesima Adviens (A Call to Action-1971-80th Anniversary)-Paul VI

 

D.Vatican II-1965

 

E. Laborem Exercens (On Human Work-1981)-John Paul II