Whose Labor Do We Value?

A young man driving the recycling truck came down the street one morning recently. He stopped very professionally at each house where the big blue barrels awaited his skillful lifting of the barrel to dump its contents into the truck, then returning it in upright position to the street before moving on to the next one.

As he stopped in front of our barrel, I happened to be walking down the driveway to get something out of the car. We smiled and waved to each other as he stopped. I expected he would empty the barrel, return it to the street, and drive away. But this morning, he put the truck in park, got out, and rolled the barrel back up out of the street to me in the driveway. A small thing, but done with such kindness and goodwill – it colored the rest of my day with gratitude for such a wonderful, thoughtful young man.

In the United States of America, the first Monday of each September is celebrated as Labor Day. On this day we remember those whose work enables the vast majority of us to live in a level of comfort unimaginable to vast numbers of people around the world. It began in the late 1800s as a way to honor laborers – those who worked in factories and the trades. Such laborers often worked long hours, under unsafe conditions, and for low wages. The labor movement worked to bring justice for these workers in terms of hours, pay, and safety. Labor Day was set to honor those workers.

Through the years, we have broadened our focus to include all who work, even those whose work is in more modern fields such as coding and teaching. High-wage earners are also recognized as laborers, though not often called that. Our contemporary economy would not be as vibrant without the many hours spent by these folks with their specialized skills.

So, whose labor do we value? Do we value those with higher wages over those with lower ones in fields that require less formal training and education? All too often, it seems that we do. It’s very easy for those of us whose background and education opened doors to higher opportunities and income to think that if people just worked a bit harder, they would be able to afford everything needed for supporting themselves and their families. It’s not easy to comprehend that hard work is not always enough!

When we add in the fact that more workers are needed to fill the lower-skill type jobs, it all becomes a bit more relevant to ask, “Whose labor do we value” and “Do we really value the people who do that work?”

Among the ancient requirements of the Judeo-Christian tradition are those of hospitality and just treatment for all. Those who came to the lands of the Hebrew people were to be treated fairly, including those who were of other nations and people. No exclusions about whether they could work and earn a living, nor threats of expulsion, imprisonment, or harsh treatment allowed.

When the conditions of the Covenant between the people and the Lord were met, peace generally prevailed. When leaders did not follow the rules and conditions of the Covenant, neighboring nations invaded and often conquered their lands. Sometimes, large numbers of them were even taken into exile in the conquering countries. There they experienced the hardships and sadness of having had to leave the lands they loved as they moved to another.

Prophets such as Ezeqiel spoke out in warning as the leaders ignored the Covenant. When the inevitable result came, and they were taken into exile with others, they spoke the Lord’s words of comfort and promise. Hope remained. The Lord is loving and forgiving. The Lord has not forgotten you/us.

Ezeqiel’s words during the exile in Babylon exemplified the personal nature of the Lord’s interest. The Lord ordered Ezeqiel to warn those breaking the Law and try to dissuade them from their ways. If they refused to change, they would be considered responsible for the consequences of their actions. But if he did not warn them, he too would be considered guilty. Only by speaking out would guilt by association or by silence be avoided. (Ez 33:7-9)

Jesus also spoke of times when one person might act in ways harmful to another. In such cases, he said the one hurt should speak privately to the “brother” who had acted hurtfully. The goal was to become reconciled with each other again.

If the conversation between the two did not lead to reconciliation, then the one who had been hurt could call in witnesses from the community, to try to attain that reconciliation. Only when that failed would the one who had acted harmfully be excluded from the community.

It wasn’t a question of a large institutional body moving against someone who does not comply at all times with all traditions, though sometimes we read the words that way. It was a question of interactions between members of a small community. If forgiveness and reconciliation were not possible, then the break would happen. If they were possible, there would be healing within the community, because the Lord is present within the community when members gather to work for forgiveness and reconciliation. (Mt 18:15-20)

In practice, St. Paul gives clear instructions. “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another, for the one who loves has fulfilled the law. … ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no evil to the neighbor… love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Rom 13:8-10)

So how do we take this and apply it to our daily lives? Perhaps we start by valuing each person for who they are in the depths of their being. Not by what job they do. Not by where they were born. Not by how much they earn or have of worldly wealth. Not by whether they are newcomers or descendants of early European settlers. We are to value each person for the gift they are and the gifts they bring to our common community and world.

We celebrate those who work and the fruits of their labor in which we all share. We should also celebrate the richness of their ancestral cultures and the courage shown in making their way to new communities and families.

So, this week we pray,

As members of the Christian community, may we have the courage and wisdom to speak out when we see actions or attitudes, whether in the public or private spheres, that fail to offer help and support to those least able to defend themselves or receive the help they need to live their lives with the basics met – housing, safety, food, clothing, healthcare, and education for their children.

And we pray for all those whose work provides the resources and opportunities which everyone needs for living in our world today, especially those whose work is quiet and often unrecognized. We pray they find strength and the courage to continue their faithful service as we celebrate Labor Day and honor their service.

Readings for the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A