Show Notes
In this fifteenth week of “Ordinary” (or “Normal”) time, Case celebrates and reflects on the history of Labor Day. Case leads us in prayer that our work would be an offering of worship to God, and would contribute to the flourishing of His creation.
Nuance’s Formed for Formation is a weekly liturgy to encourage all of us to be faithful to Christ in the public square. Join Case Thorp as he follows the Church calendar through the reading of Scripture, prayer, and short reflections on faith in all facets of public life.
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Episode Transcript
Labor Day is upon us. For many, it’s a long weekend and the official end of summer. However, Labor Day has its roots in the labor movement of the late 19th century, emerging from the efforts of workers and unions to secure better working conditions and recognition. It’s evolved into a national holiday that not only honors the contributions of workers, but also celebrates the progress made in labor rights and the ongoing effort to improve the lives of laborers in the United States.
The labor movement began gaining momentum in the 19th century as workers faced long hours, unsafe working conditions, and low wages. Unions began forming to advocate for better conditions, reasonable hours, and fair pay. Today, the things we take for granted at work were actually established during this time. Weekends, overtime pay, safe workplaces, the minimum wage, and more.
The first Labor Day celebration was held on September 5th, 1882 in New York City. Organized by the Central Labor Union, it featured a parade, speeches, and a festival for workers and their families. This event is considered the birth of Labor Day. The idea of a holiday for workers spread quickly across the country. By 1884, the first money in September was selected as the official date for the holiday and labor organizations in other cities began holding their own celebrations. Oregon became the first state to make Labor Day an official public holiday in 1887. Other states, including Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York soon followed. The push for a national holiday gained traction, particularly after the Pullman strike of 1894, a nationwide railroad strike that turned violent and highlighted the need for labor reforms.
In response to the strike and as a gesture to labor unions, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making Labor Day a national holiday on June 28th, 1894. Labor Day remains an important symbol of the contributions of workers and the ongoing struggle for fair labor practices. It serves as a reminder of the importance of labor rights and the need to continue striving for equitable working conditions for all. In 1 Corinthians 3:9, we read, for we are co-laborers in God’s service. You are God’s field, God’s building. That word co-laborer is where we get our name at the co-llaborative. Get it? Whatever labor a Christian brings to the world, blue collar, white collar, and now the no collar. Yeah, it’s a thing. May our work be unto the Lord as an offering of worship.
Happy Labor Day.
Now reading from selections of Joshua 24:1-2, 14-18
Joshua 24:1-2
Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel, and they presented themselves before God.
And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Long ago your ancestors–Terah and his sons Abraham and Nahor–lived beyond the Euphrates and served other gods.
Joshua 24:14-8
“Now, therefore, revere the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt and serve the LORD. Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods, for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went and among all the peoples through whom we passed, and the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.”
A reading from John’s gospel chapter six, beginning in verse 56-69.
Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which the ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.
He said these things while he was teaching in a synagogue at Capernaum. When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?”
But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who were the ones who did not believe and who was the one who would betray him.
And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.” Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him.
So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we come before you today to lift up all workers in prayer. We thank you for the gifts and talents you have bestowed upon each of us and for the opportunities to use these abilities to contribute to our communities and support our families. Lord, we ask for your blessing upon all who labor in every field and profession. Grant them strength and endurance to meet the demands of their work, provide them with the safe and healthy working conditions and protect them from harm and injury. We pray for those who face challenges and injustices in their workplaces. Give them courage and resilience to overcome difficulties and the wisdom to seek solutions. May their efforts be recognized and valued and may they find joy and fulfillment in their endeavors. Bless those who are seeking employment.
Open doors of opportunity for them and guide them to positions where they can thrive and grow. Provide for their needs during times of transition and uncertainty. We also lift up employers and leaders in the workplace. Grant them the ability to lead with fairness, compassion, and integrity. May they see their employees as valuable and treat them with respect and dignity. Lord, remind us all of the dignity and value of work.
Help us to see our tasks, no matter how big or small, as acts of service to you and our neighbors. May we find purpose and satisfaction in our daily efforts, knowing that we are coworkers in your service, contributing to the flourishing of your creation. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
A reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, chapter 6: 10-20.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power; put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, for our struggle is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day and, having prevailed against everything, to stand firm. Stand, therefore, and belt your waist with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness and lace up your sandals in preparation for the gospel of peace.
With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.
