Christians and Labor Day

From today's optional readings for Labor Day.

(2Th 3:10) For also, when we were with you, this we declared to you: that, if any man will not work, neither let him eat.

(2Th 3:11) For we have heard there are some among you who walk disorderly: working not at all, but curiously meddling.

(2Th 3:12) Now we charge them that are such and beseech them by the Lord Jesus Christ that, working with silence, they would eat their own bread.

Gospel:
(Mat 6:31) Be not solicitous therefore, saying: What shall we eat: or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed?

(Mat 6:32) For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things.

(Mat 6:33) Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.

********************************************************************************
Haydock's Commentary:
(Haydock C) 2Th 3:10 Not work. By prying with curiosity into other men's actions. He that is idle, saith St. John Chrysostom, will be given to curiosity. (Witham) --- The apostles, like our Lord, were fond of introducing popular saying or axioms. Another, and not unlike the former, is found in one of the Jewish rabbies, Zeror: Qui non laboraverit in Prosabbato, ne edat in Sabbato.

(Haydock C) 2Th 3:12 Eat their own bread, which they work for, and deserve, not that of others. (Witham)

(Haydock C) Mat 6:32 It is not without reason that men are in such great fear and distress, when they are so blind as to imagine that their happiness in this life is ruled by fate. But such as know that they are entirely governed by the will of God, know also that a store is laid up for them in his hands. (St. John Chrysostom)

(Haydock C) Mat 6:33 [5] Your Father knoweth; he does not say God knoweth, but your Father, to teach us to apply to him with greater confidence. (St. John Chrysostom) --- He that delivers himself entirely into the hands of God, may rest secure both in prosperity and adversity, knowing that he is governed by a tender Father. (St. Thomas Aquinas)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are verses for the Labor Day liturgy. The first one haunts me...with meager work and without a means to find more. I am trying to work from home but it is very very slow going. In the same note my wife Mitzi is working in my stead. But even some of our "meddling" Christian creditors think that three of us should work in order to pay them and use this Paul's verse to defend an errant position on the poor.

God will bless our trust and efforts without destroying our family order. I know that "the Father knoweth that you have need of all these things". so I will trust in him.

Social bookmark this