Work Ethic

As Rosanne wrote in her recent post, we met on Wednesday to discuss #1604 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. And, as she pointed out, one woman said that in our vocation as wife, we become a prayer. 

But what, exactly, transforms us into prayer? We found the answer rather quickly: it is our work. Specifically, it's the constant call to be a continuous act of love that we encounter in our daily duties. And, what a beautiful way to look at the daily requirements of a wife and a mother. For, when you really think about it, it's nothing less than that. 

But, isn't work something difficult? Doesn't work, itself, drain us of our energy and rob us of the charitable spirit we desire to have? Not necessarily. Let's go back to the beginning, even before the Fall. 

• 378 The sign of man's familiarity with God is that God places him in the garden [in Genesis]. There he lives "to till it and keep it". Work is not yet a burden, but rather the collaboration of man and woman with God in perfecting the visible creation.
  

So, there is our answer. Man was made for work. And work was made for man. Specifically, work was made as a sign of God's familiarity with us, so that man could collaborate with God in perfection. Now, that sheds new light on washing dishes and folding laundry. Regardless, it's our reality. 

But, let's remember that God made man male and female. And, that is an essential piece of the puzzle. In fact, it's everything. And, that brings us back to the Catechism, yet again.

• 1604..Since God created him man and woman, their mutual love [husband and wife] becomes an image of the absolute and unfailing love with which God loves man. 

Not only is our spouse an image of God's love for us, the love between a husband and wife is an image of God's love for man. So, what are we called to do, as husband and wife, with this love that is so great as to image God's very own perfect and infinite love for man? You guessed it. We're called to work. 

• 1604.. And this love which God blesses is intended to be fruitful and to be realized in the common work of watching over creation: “And God blessed them, and God said to them: ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.’”44
  

So, the next time you're overwhelmed by the work that you have to accomplish in your day, remember that work is the original way that God called us to communion with Him. It's the original way that He called us to bring things to perfection.

And, if you feel like your household chores are less than an adequate reflection of the original work that we were called to do, keep in mind that that work was nothing more than tilling a garden. 

Now, that's Work Ethic.