Msgr. Pope on Work as a Participation in the Common Good

 "Labor Day makes me mindful of our interconnectedness; we need one another in order to survive. Consider how we are each called to contribute as well as how we benefit from the labor of others:

"Even that simple can of corn you pull from the grocery store shelf has thousands of people standing behind it: from those who stock the shelves to the truckers who transport the product to the store; from the regional warehouse workers to the rail operators who supply the warehouse; from the farmers and harvesters to the granary workers. Then there are others such as those who supply fertilizers that aid in growth and those who developed innumerable agricultural technologies over the years. People also labored to build the roads and rails over which the products travel. Others supply fuel for the trucks, combines, and locomotives. Coal miners work hard to supply the electricity needed all along the way. Still others in banking and business take risks and supply the funds to run agricultural, transportation, and food distribution businesses and networks. The list of people who have worked so that you and I can buy that can of corn at the store is almost endless.

"Thanks be to God for human labor; we help each other to survive!"

In a commentary posted on Labor Day, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on how work is part of our original dignity and is a duty and prolongs the work of creation, how work can be sanctifying and redemptive, and how work is a participation in the common good.

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: Labor Day Reflection: We Need One Another to Survive (2 SEP 20)