A few days ago, I shared with you a famous painting called the 'Angelus' by J.F. Millet. Today I offer you another of his paintings called the Gleaners, as we reflect on the gift and blessing of work. Many people look at work as a chore, but our commitment to what we do is a big blessing, especially when we put our mind and heart into the work we are doing. So I offer you also this prayer on work:
For the gift of work, we are grateful in this prayer, as sons and daughters of Adam and Eve.
We follow in the steps of our first parents, who before their
fall, worked joyfully with their hands, in Your garden of Eden, Lord and
Creator.
We are thankful for the dignity and creative challenge of our unique tasks.
For the work that ennobles us, that lifts up our spirits, we are grateful.
Today we take time to thank you, for those common tasks that we must
perform each day, those necessary labors of life by which, according to Your
divine plan, are also able to create the Kingdom here in our midst.
We daily follow in the footsteps of Jesus of Nazareth. With His mother Mary who gracefully worked at the domestic tasks of her home, with St Joseph working at his carpenter’s shop, with St Paul the tent-maker, with St Peter the fisherman, we too labor in love as we proclaim the mysteries of Your Gospel.
And whatever we do, as mechanics, writers, film-makers, photographers, chefs, doctors, nurses, artists, drivers, sportspeople, musicians - let everything be done with dignity, love and devotion to our duty.
Help us Lord our God, to use the work of this
day to perform it with mindfulness and attention, with care and devotion - that
it will be holy and healing, for us and for all the earth.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, who enhances our
lives with work.
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