Our Catholic Faith at Work - Part 2
We continue our examination of the influence of our Catholic Faith at work, inspired by the unusual work of a certain Catholic priest as described in Father Z's blog. Since most of us work in a non-religious workplace, we certainly
can't and won't be walking about praying the rosary expecting to
encounter people and situations where we can express our faith openly
and explicitly, as does Father Carney. But just as we've learned how the Rule of St.
Benedict written to guide the daily work of monks can be applied to our own work lives,
so too can our Catholic Faith permeate our work every day. In fact, it must. We do this by offering up every smidgen of our work each day for the greater glory of God, bolstered by a strong prayer life. So how might the example of this unusual priest help us to either insert or keep our Catholic Faith at work?
We first need to understand that Father Carney's activities spring not from a sense of obligation but from a deep love of Jesus Christ, as well as an understanding that Our Lord's life provides the best, highest example for not only priests, but all of us. So maybe a better question to ask, rather than "Does you Catholic Faith permeate your work?" would be "Do you love Jesus Christ?" As we mentioned last time, it really all begins and ends there.
When you ask yourself, "Do I love Jesus Christ?", is the answer an unconditional one - "Yes!" - or is it more like "Yes, but..."? For many of us, it's the "Yes, but...". But why? Why do we hold back from an unconditional love of Him who suffered and died for each of us that we might enjoy the glory of eternity in the Presence of the All-Holy?
Are the attractions of sin so alluring to us? Sadly, it could be that. The state of our spiritual lives, even when we think we've made progress, frequently belies the holiness that could lift us above and beyond sin. We slip and fall, sometimes daily. But why should our slipping and falling cause us to "Yes, but..."? It really doesn't have to. The fact is, God knows each of us, in all our imperfections. If we're sorry for our sins - sincerely so - avail ourselves of Confession, make a firm purpose of amendment not to sin again, and start over again, His infinite love and mercy will invite us to turn our hearts towards Him, again and again. And by His grace (for which we beg every day if our lives are correctly ordered) we will.
But even those of us who understand the fallen nature with which we were born sometimes can't quite say simply "I love you Jesus," and fully mean it. For many of us it's not only the attraction of sin that pulls us back from an unconditional love of Christ, it's the distractions of our busy days. We focus the vast majority of our attention on our "To Do" list; we react to the urgent needs and demands of our customers, our co-workers, and our bosses. The day flies by without a single thought, never mind a prayer, directed to Our Lord. But doesn't Father Carney have such demands too? As a parish priest, he's got a long To Do List as well. And yet he somehow makes the time to walk the streets bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to any and all who would receive it.
Notice we said he makes the time; not finds it. Searching for gaps in a busy schedule typically won't work for anyone who's got a really busy schedule. We've already packed the day tight with urgent tasks - or someone's packed it for us - that need attending. No matter the power of the magnifying glass you might use, there's just no time to spare, no open space in that schedule of yours. That's why we need to simply make time for Jesus, just as we need to make time for our families and our close friends. If we really love someone we make time for them. Perhaps this reminder from the Book of Tobias, Chapter 12, Verse 8 will help us prioritize appropriately:
Let's finish up with these words from Father Carney:
We first need to understand that Father Carney's activities spring not from a sense of obligation but from a deep love of Jesus Christ, as well as an understanding that Our Lord's life provides the best, highest example for not only priests, but all of us. So maybe a better question to ask, rather than "Does you Catholic Faith permeate your work?" would be "Do you love Jesus Christ?" As we mentioned last time, it really all begins and ends there.
When you ask yourself, "Do I love Jesus Christ?", is the answer an unconditional one - "Yes!" - or is it more like "Yes, but..."? For many of us, it's the "Yes, but...". But why? Why do we hold back from an unconditional love of Him who suffered and died for each of us that we might enjoy the glory of eternity in the Presence of the All-Holy?
Are the attractions of sin so alluring to us? Sadly, it could be that. The state of our spiritual lives, even when we think we've made progress, frequently belies the holiness that could lift us above and beyond sin. We slip and fall, sometimes daily. But why should our slipping and falling cause us to "Yes, but..."? It really doesn't have to. The fact is, God knows each of us, in all our imperfections. If we're sorry for our sins - sincerely so - avail ourselves of Confession, make a firm purpose of amendment not to sin again, and start over again, His infinite love and mercy will invite us to turn our hearts towards Him, again and again. And by His grace (for which we beg every day if our lives are correctly ordered) we will.
But even those of us who understand the fallen nature with which we were born sometimes can't quite say simply "I love you Jesus," and fully mean it. For many of us it's not only the attraction of sin that pulls us back from an unconditional love of Christ, it's the distractions of our busy days. We focus the vast majority of our attention on our "To Do" list; we react to the urgent needs and demands of our customers, our co-workers, and our bosses. The day flies by without a single thought, never mind a prayer, directed to Our Lord. But doesn't Father Carney have such demands too? As a parish priest, he's got a long To Do List as well. And yet he somehow makes the time to walk the streets bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to any and all who would receive it.
Notice we said he makes the time; not finds it. Searching for gaps in a busy schedule typically won't work for anyone who's got a really busy schedule. We've already packed the day tight with urgent tasks - or someone's packed it for us - that need attending. No matter the power of the magnifying glass you might use, there's just no time to spare, no open space in that schedule of yours. That's why we need to simply make time for Jesus, just as we need to make time for our families and our close friends. If we really love someone we make time for them. Perhaps this reminder from the Book of Tobias, Chapter 12, Verse 8 will help us prioritize appropriately:
Prayer is good with fasting and alms more than to lay up treasures of gold.Unless we're somehow impaired, our intellect grasps this readily. As good Catholics, we may struggle with the world, the flesh and the Devil. But we know that God's grace will be sufficient to help us in our struggle. So take heart! Remember that love conquers all. And if you really love Jesus Christ, with your whole heart, your whole mind, your whole soul, you can, by an act of will, be the Father Carney of your work place. Perhaps not by walking about reciting the rosary, ready to engage all comers with the Good News; but more likely by the way you always comport yourself as a Christian gentleman, in your thoughts, words, and actions. In the end, that is likely going to be the essence of your Faith at work: your good work and your good example infused with a strong prayer life that binds all together.
Let's finish up with these words from Father Carney:
“At the end of our life, it’s important to look back and say ‘How did I serve God?’” he says. “Because if we gave him everything, we are going to be happy at that moment.”Our unconditional love means we give Jesus everything, holding nothing back. What are you waiting for?
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