Be Part of Our Catholic Team at Work
Be a team player at work. Don't be selfish. Don't just look out for your own interests and ignore the needs of the people you work with.
Sound right? It is. Everyone should act this way at work. But the picture isn't complete if you're Catholic. The idea of not being selfish isn't - or shouldn't be - something unique to us Catholics. I've known and worked with many colleagues from different backgrounds who were pretty unselfish in the way they conducted themselves on the job. (And, of course, I've worked with many more who basically only look out for themselves.)
So what's different for us Catholic "team players"? It's the team we play on. No, I'm not saying that we do or should only work with Catholics. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's simply not practical for most of us. And that's fine.
Oh, and in case you run your own business and mostly work by yourself, you're still part of this team. It doesn't matter where you work - the biggest multinational corporation, or running a hot dog stand on the corner. You're part of this team.
Our team spans the centuries. The team players come from every conceivable background, from every part of the world. The experience they bring to the table will help you in every situation you could ever face at work. It's quite incredible.
You can break our team into three parts.
We call the first part the "Church Militant." That's all us faithful Catholics who struggle each day to obey God's Commandments. We bring our energy and experience to our jobs. We understand that our employer deserves our best effort at all times and we strive to provide that best effort. We treat everyone with whom we come into contact - colleagues, customers, vendors...everyone - charitably. We even bear the "slings and arrows" of those who are unpleasant and unkind to us. We defend ourselves when attacked unjustly, but even when someone is an enemy, we pray for those who don't treat us well. And, if we're lucky, we sometimes run into each other right there on the job and provide understanding and support to each other.
We call the second part the "Church Suffering." They're the folks who have died in sin - although not in mortal sin - and undergo purification before they can enter Heaven. As good Catholics we pray for them. But theologians tell us they can pray for us as well, even in their suffering. So through the work day, if we face difficulties or suffering of our own, we can offer that suffering for their sakes. We can even simply pray for them, if the thought occurs to us during a busy work day. When we do, it helps to shorten the time of their purification. It helps them get to Heaven sooner. And if those theologians are correct, they may even pray for us while we're slaving away here on earth.
Finally, we call the third part the "Church Triumphant." They consist of those who have died and gone to Heaven. We also know them as saints. They pray for us all here on earth. They know all about the team and how important it is to work as a team. Of all the three parts, those in the Church Triumphant provide the quickest, most effective help whenever we need it. They live in the Blessed Presence of Almighty God and will intercede on your behalf. And if you haven't already done this, think about designating one of the saints as a special patron for you at work. (I have two patrons I'll tell you about some other time.)
What a team!
No matter how the day goes at work, no matter what difficulties you may face, you've got a great team surrounding you at all times. And when it comes to the "Church Suffering," there's always the opportunity for you to exercise charity in praying for them or offering up the difficulties or suffering you may face during the day.
We Catholics are never alone at work. We're never short of a helping hand. We always know where to turn no matter what the day brings.
Remember that you are part of our Catholic Team. Remember how blessed we all are!
Sound right? It is. Everyone should act this way at work. But the picture isn't complete if you're Catholic. The idea of not being selfish isn't - or shouldn't be - something unique to us Catholics. I've known and worked with many colleagues from different backgrounds who were pretty unselfish in the way they conducted themselves on the job. (And, of course, I've worked with many more who basically only look out for themselves.)
So what's different for us Catholic "team players"? It's the team we play on. No, I'm not saying that we do or should only work with Catholics. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's simply not practical for most of us. And that's fine.
Oh, and in case you run your own business and mostly work by yourself, you're still part of this team. It doesn't matter where you work - the biggest multinational corporation, or running a hot dog stand on the corner. You're part of this team.
Our team spans the centuries. The team players come from every conceivable background, from every part of the world. The experience they bring to the table will help you in every situation you could ever face at work. It's quite incredible.
You can break our team into three parts.
We call the first part the "Church Militant." That's all us faithful Catholics who struggle each day to obey God's Commandments. We bring our energy and experience to our jobs. We understand that our employer deserves our best effort at all times and we strive to provide that best effort. We treat everyone with whom we come into contact - colleagues, customers, vendors...everyone - charitably. We even bear the "slings and arrows" of those who are unpleasant and unkind to us. We defend ourselves when attacked unjustly, but even when someone is an enemy, we pray for those who don't treat us well. And, if we're lucky, we sometimes run into each other right there on the job and provide understanding and support to each other.
We call the second part the "Church Suffering." They're the folks who have died in sin - although not in mortal sin - and undergo purification before they can enter Heaven. As good Catholics we pray for them. But theologians tell us they can pray for us as well, even in their suffering. So through the work day, if we face difficulties or suffering of our own, we can offer that suffering for their sakes. We can even simply pray for them, if the thought occurs to us during a busy work day. When we do, it helps to shorten the time of their purification. It helps them get to Heaven sooner. And if those theologians are correct, they may even pray for us while we're slaving away here on earth.
Finally, we call the third part the "Church Triumphant." They consist of those who have died and gone to Heaven. We also know them as saints. They pray for us all here on earth. They know all about the team and how important it is to work as a team. Of all the three parts, those in the Church Triumphant provide the quickest, most effective help whenever we need it. They live in the Blessed Presence of Almighty God and will intercede on your behalf. And if you haven't already done this, think about designating one of the saints as a special patron for you at work. (I have two patrons I'll tell you about some other time.)
What a team!
No matter how the day goes at work, no matter what difficulties you may face, you've got a great team surrounding you at all times. And when it comes to the "Church Suffering," there's always the opportunity for you to exercise charity in praying for them or offering up the difficulties or suffering you may face during the day.
We Catholics are never alone at work. We're never short of a helping hand. We always know where to turn no matter what the day brings.
Remember that you are part of our Catholic Team. Remember how blessed we all are!
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