The purpose of one's vocation, whatever it might be, is serving others. It has to do with fulfilling Christ's injunction to love one's neighbor. The word "calling," or in its Latinate form "voacare” (to call), had long been used in reference to the ordained ministry. Martin Luther was the first to use "vocation" to refer also to secular offices and occupations. Today, the term has become common-place, another synonym for a profession or job, as in "vocational training." But behind the term is the notion that all work is a distinct "calling" from God, requiring unique God-given gifts, skills, and talents. Moreover, the Reformation doctrine of vocation teaches that God is active in everyday human labor, family responsibilities, and social interactions.

Thus, making a living, going shopping, being a good citizen, and spending time with one's family-that is, the "ordinary routine"-are all spheres in which God is at work, through human means. In a time when we define ourselves by our work and yet question its value, when we crave family values but are confused about our social roles, the doctrine of vocation can transfigure everyday life.

As we celebrate Labor Day this year, let us also celebrate our “calling”, our vocation,  as a gift from God.

God bless you,
PT

Scripture Reading:     Colossians 3:23-24   Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.

My dear friends,

Labor Day. For us it marks the wistful end of the summer.  Ironically, we have come to associate this holiday with a day off of work, this holiday that was established to honor workers and give us all a so-called“workingmen’s holiday.” By design, initiated in the late 1880’s by the Carpenter and Joiners unions in New York and the American Federation of Labor, this day, in the words of the US Department of Labor, was ntended “to constitute a yearly tribute to the social and economic contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.” Labor Day was supposed to give workers and their families a day full of celebration, with recreation and amusement, a parade, often speeches by prominent citizens. Samuel Gompers, founder and long-time President of the Federation, pointed out that Labor Day is unique as a national holiday:“all other holidays” he said, “are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man’s prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race or nation.” This holiday, recognizing the vital importance of work, is devoted to all workers, to a community of workers.  It asserts the fundamental belief in the dignity of all, and our awareness of an interdependence.

So first of all, for all who work, on this day, we celebrate you. All who work—this is all who exert strength and faculties, sustain effort, labor, create, do, toil, overcome obstacles to achieve; this is all who are occupied, employed, or who pursue a calling. We must rejoice in the good work that we do, we must honor our commitment to a job well done, we must take pride in the fine craftsmanship of whatever we create, whether object, task or system. Know that your work is noticed and valuable. Work is at the center of adult living. Think of it—housework, yard work, paper work, office work, homework, not to mention, the work of a job.  The work that we do, each person adding his and her own piece of the community puzzle, makes up our society.

Your work is holy.  Let us celebrate it,

God bless you,
PT

Scripture Reading:   James 1:27   Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after the fatherless and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

My dear friends,

I began going through the cards and letters that had been sent to my house while I was with my   getting my Mom settled I her new assisted living facility following the death of my Dad.  I could only read about ten or so. The love that poured out of the notes was overwhelming.  The same was true for my Mom when she went through your cards in Michigan.

Sometimes I will meet a person who tells me, “I don’t need the church to worship God.  I can do it very well on my own in the woods.”  My usual response is, “Of course you can worship God in the woods.  But what you miss is community.  What you miss is being with folks who also worship God.” I heard a story about a pastor who visited a parishioner who had stopped coming to church.  They sat near the fireplace that had a roaring fire.  The pastor got up took one of the fireplace tools and moved an ember
away from the fire.  After a few minutes, the ember stopped burning and turned black and cold.  The parishioner simply replied, “I’ll see you in church on Sunday, Pastor.”

This weekend is Labor Day.  It marks the end of summer vacations and the beginning of autumn activities.  It is a good time to think about church.  I encourage everyone to be regular in worship attendance and get involved in an activity or group.  There are plenty of place to get involved.  I pray that this coming year will bring you joy, love and a deepened faith.

God bless you,
PT