Evangelizing at Work - Help from Psalm 89 (Part 2)
Continuing with Psalm 89 where we left off last time...
Let's ask ourselves: Do we pursue righteousness and justice in all our dealings at work? More specifically, are we diligent in our appointed duties? Do we treat our co-workers with the respect and charity that is due to them as fellow creatures of God - even the ones that get on our nerves, or who themselves might not treat us the way they should? Wouldn't "steadfast love" apply here? If we Catholics don't demonstrate charity in the face of a lack of charity in the world, from whom does that "steadfast love" come? Don't say others, because they might be saying the same thing. We have to put the responsibility for Christian charity right were it belongs - on ourselves. And we can't exempt the workplace from being the forum for demonstrating the steadfast love of God in our dealings with others.
As for faithfulness, every thought, word, and deed at work should be inspired and derived from our Catholic faith. There is no place in our lives for "secular" attitudes or behaviors as opposed to Catholic attitudes of behaviors. Get out of your mind that your Faith stops or is somehow on "pause" the minute the work day begins. Our Faith should inform everything we think and say and do. And there's nothing any of us does at work that is exempt from this. In the moment we are asked or required to do anything that contradicts our Faith, we must not let this pass. This applies even to criticisms of our Faith, either in the form of criticizing the Catholic Church, or criticisms of any of our beliefs. Our "festal shout" will be heard in our faithfulness.
If we're strict about all this, if our adherence to our Holy Catholic Faith shines through our every thought, word and action, we will indeed "walk...in the light of thy countenance" and "exult in thy name all the day, and extol in thy righteousness."
The Psalm continues, recounting the Lord's blessings on David, the unfaithfulness of his people Israel, the Lord's wrath rained down upon them. It's a long psalm and quite dramatic, but well worth spending time reading slowly. You begin to see the intimate connection between us and God. And in the light of our obligation to evangelize, you understand just why this becomes a primary obligation of ours. Recognizing the Lord in our lives, in ever aspect of our lives, in every moment, cannot be dismissed or ignored or somehow given secondary status. The Lord's patience is and will be worn thin if we dismiss of ignore Him in this way.
The Psalmist ends with a question and a plea. He knows he has not been perfect in living his Faith, in doing all he should, in setting the example of a creature of God before all God's creatures. Yet we see here how even a mighty king, such as David was, loves the Lord and needs the Lord's love. We see how he takes the humiliations of his life and bears them, knowing that he has been and is a sinner. Finally, we see - and feel - the creature turn to his Creator with a final declaration of his faithfulness and good intentions to live up to all that God expects from him:
God expects us to evangelize - even at work. Who are we to question this? Make your intention to do so, and rely on His grace. Then get back to work.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of thy throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before thee.
Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance,
who exult in thy name all the day,
and extol thy righteousness.
Let's ask ourselves: Do we pursue righteousness and justice in all our dealings at work? More specifically, are we diligent in our appointed duties? Do we treat our co-workers with the respect and charity that is due to them as fellow creatures of God - even the ones that get on our nerves, or who themselves might not treat us the way they should? Wouldn't "steadfast love" apply here? If we Catholics don't demonstrate charity in the face of a lack of charity in the world, from whom does that "steadfast love" come? Don't say others, because they might be saying the same thing. We have to put the responsibility for Christian charity right were it belongs - on ourselves. And we can't exempt the workplace from being the forum for demonstrating the steadfast love of God in our dealings with others.
As for faithfulness, every thought, word, and deed at work should be inspired and derived from our Catholic faith. There is no place in our lives for "secular" attitudes or behaviors as opposed to Catholic attitudes of behaviors. Get out of your mind that your Faith stops or is somehow on "pause" the minute the work day begins. Our Faith should inform everything we think and say and do. And there's nothing any of us does at work that is exempt from this. In the moment we are asked or required to do anything that contradicts our Faith, we must not let this pass. This applies even to criticisms of our Faith, either in the form of criticizing the Catholic Church, or criticisms of any of our beliefs. Our "festal shout" will be heard in our faithfulness.
If we're strict about all this, if our adherence to our Holy Catholic Faith shines through our every thought, word and action, we will indeed "walk...in the light of thy countenance" and "exult in thy name all the day, and extol in thy righteousness."
The Psalm continues, recounting the Lord's blessings on David, the unfaithfulness of his people Israel, the Lord's wrath rained down upon them. It's a long psalm and quite dramatic, but well worth spending time reading slowly. You begin to see the intimate connection between us and God. And in the light of our obligation to evangelize, you understand just why this becomes a primary obligation of ours. Recognizing the Lord in our lives, in ever aspect of our lives, in every moment, cannot be dismissed or ignored or somehow given secondary status. The Lord's patience is and will be worn thin if we dismiss of ignore Him in this way.
The Psalmist ends with a question and a plea. He knows he has not been perfect in living his Faith, in doing all he should, in setting the example of a creature of God before all God's creatures. Yet we see here how even a mighty king, such as David was, loves the Lord and needs the Lord's love. We see how he takes the humiliations of his life and bears them, knowing that he has been and is a sinner. Finally, we see - and feel - the creature turn to his Creator with a final declaration of his faithfulness and good intentions to live up to all that God expects from him:
Lord, where is thy steadfast love of old,
which by thy faithfulness thou didst swear to David?
Remember, O Lord, how thy servant is scorned;
how I bear in my bosom the insults of the peoples,
with which thy enemies taunt, O Lord,
with which they mock the footsteps of the anointed.
Blessed be the Lord for ever!
Amen and Amen.
God expects us to evangelize - even at work. Who are we to question this? Make your intention to do so, and rely on His grace. Then get back to work.
Comments