The Privilege Of Work

When I was in high school our principal would often tell us: "Girls, work is a privilege!" Now most times we heard her say this was while we were doing the menial and not so pleasant task of scraping gum from the bottom of the folding chairs used at assemblies. So it was hard for us, at least for me, to understand where the privilege was in all this.
It would be many years later after I returned to my faith that I would understand the truth in Sister John Anita's words. This wise woman knew the Christian value to work. I also surmise that she was trying to say that there are many who are out of work or unable to work, and the privilege~ at least part of it was in the simple fact that we could work. She never explained what she meant at the time, and we never asked. In a way I am somewhat glad she never explained her words; I got to figure it out on my own, with God's grace of course.
I now know and understand the Christian value and meaning of work. God has given me the ability, wisdom and knowledge to do what I do each day. He himself gave great dignity when He came in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus worked along side Joseph as a carpenter in Nazareth. Both Jesus and Joseph knew that the ability to work came from God and that there was and is great meaning in our work when it is offered and done for God's glory.
Work can be difficult, and sometimes even mundane. We may be forced to do a job that we are not very fond of and work with others with whom we would not rather not associate. If we look at our work~our jobs as simply a paycheck and praying that we just make it to Friday, we lose the real point of the work and much grace along with it. I think most of us have been in situations like that, or maybe you are in one now. God does want us to be happy here so pray that He will lead you to a job that also fulfills the vocation for which He created you.
In the meantime, I will repeat Sister John Anita's words: "Work is a privilege!" Let us all offer whatever work we do for the glory of God and pray for those who are out of work, or are in jobs where they have ceased to see the meaning.

Prayer to Saint Joseph For Workers

Joseph, by the work of your hands

and the sweat of your brow,

you supported Jesus and Mary,

and had the Son of God as your fellow worker.

Teach me to work as you did,

with patience and perseverance, for God and

for those whom God has given me to support.

Teach me to see in my fellow workers

the Christ who desires to be in them,

that I may always be charitable and forbearing

towards all.

Grant me to look upon work

with the eyes of faith,

so that I shall recognize in it

my share in God’s own creative activity

and in Christ’s work of our redemption,

and so take pride in it.

When it is pleasant and productive,

remind me to give thanks to God for it.

And when it is burdensome,

teach me to offer it to God,

in reparation for my sins

and the sins of the world.