Thursday, August 26 : Saint José Maria Escriva de Balaguer

We ought not to forget that the dignity of work is founded on love… People can’t be restricted to doing things, making objects. Work is born of love, demonstrates love and is ordered towards love. We recognise God, not just in the vistas opened out to us by nature, but also in the experience of our work and efforts. Thus work is prayer, thanksgiving, because we know that it is God who has set us on earth, we know he loves us and we are heirs of his promises. It is only right that he should say to us: «Whatever you eat, whatever you drink, whatever you do at all, do everything for the glory of God» (1Cor 10,31). Professional work is also an apostolate, an occasion for giving ourselves to others to reveal Christ to them and lead them to God our Father, which is only a consequence of the love the Holy Spirit pours into our souls. Among the criteria Paul gives to the Ephesians concerning the way in which the change brought about by their conversion is to be manifested…, we find this: «The thief must no longer steal , but rather labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with one in need» (Eph 4,28). People need earthly bread if they are to be fed, but they also need the bread of heaven to enlighten and warm their hearts. In your work, in the initiatives that flow from it, in your conversation, in your relationships, you can and must realize this command. If we work in this spirit, our lives, in spite of all the limitations proper to our earthly condition, will be an anticipation of the glory of heaven, of that communion with God and the saints in which love alone will reign, generosity, fidelity, friendship and joy. You will find within your ordinary, professional occupations the real, enduring and solid material that will enable you to realize your whole christian life and manifest the grace that comes from Christ.

maronite readings – rosary,team