Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from you.”

Most of us are not alarmed to realize we have a day off from work, a holiday. On the other hand, as we grow up we are surprised to find that we're expected to work at least five or six of the days of the week and for eight hour periods.

Eventually we get used to the fact that work is a huge element in most lives. Too big an element, in fact, in many. For instance, in the lives of those who must work every minute simply to survive and also in those who wear themselves out amassing wealth.

One basic truth of the first chapters of Genesis is that work is necessary; by it we exercise our powers and assist in the ongoing creation of the world. Negatively, work can be drudgery. Almost any regular work brings with it both satisfaction and pain.

The latter is probably our most genuine sharing in the cross; it comes as a byproduct of something we must do. Jesus tells us that working simply to pile up wealth is to get everything wrong. “Do not be concerned for your life, what you are to eat, or for your body, what you are to wear. Life is more important than food and the body more than clothing” (Luke 12:22,23).

And, further, he says that our dedicated work does not negate the need for trust in God. We are not meant to nail down every concern about the future. Covid-19 has given us plenty of anxiety, uncertainty and change. No matter how important we think our work is, there is another more effective worker involved. “Your Father knows that you need such things.... Life is more important than food and the body more than clothing” Luke 12:30 and 23).

Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”

Reply to Fr. Don at: DTalafous@csbsju.edu

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