Labor Day 2006
Once again here in the USA we celebrate Labor Day. Most of us just think of it in terms of a day off from work with pay or, if we do think of it, a day to honor all those who work for a living. But, the reflection I read in One Bread, One Body on the Gospel reading for today, Monday of 22nd Week of Ordinary time shed a different light on this day. The key part of the Gospel is this: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed meto bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captivesand recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord." Luke 4:18-19
The reflection started out by saying:"On this Labor Day, Jesus gives us His job description and therefore the job description of His followers. Our job is to preach the good news to the poor. This means not just a pat on the back but the ultimate good news of freedom, healing, and restoration through Jesus' death and resurrection. Our job is to build God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven (Mt 6:10)."
The Church does have optional special readings in the Lectionary as well as a votive Mass that is appropriate for the day. But, the Holy Spirit knew that they wouldn't always be used. So, working through those who set up the Lectionary after Vatican II, the Holy Spirit saw to it that this reading would come up on this day. It was no accident.
Labor Day is also the traditional official kick-off for the November election campaigns. Part of our responsibility in building God's Kingdom is to be involved politically. We have to work for & vote for candidates that will see that the laws we have support & further the building of God's Kingdom. This is not creating a theocracy or forcing 1 religion on everyone. I won't go into the details of the myth of the seperation of church & state that is put forth to distort the real meaning of the 1st Amendement of the US Constitution. I will simply state that the teaching of the Catholic Church calls us to do so. (Priests for Life & the USCCB Pro-Life Activities web site have the documentation to back this up.) & anyone who understands that the basis of our Declaration of Independence & the US Constitution is natural law, knows I am right.
So, what are we to do. 1st of all pray. Pray for guidance for who to vote for, pray for candidates that will support the pro-life position, not only in words, but in action. Next, research the candidates. Groups like Vote Smart can help. Many Pro-Life groups also contact the candidates & elected officials & put out the info about where they stand or if they refuse to answer. They also put out info on how your elected officials have voted. The ideal candidate is 1 who totally opposes abortion. If neither is totally opposed to abortion, then which 1 will support the greatest limitations on it. Support means more than voting. It includes activities like writing letters to the editor in support of pro-life candidates, working for the candidates campaigns & much more. Blogging, like this, is another way to get the word out.
Right to Life is the most important issue. The Magisterium of the Church has made it clear that this is so. Again, I would recommend checking out the Priests for Life & USCCB websites to study these teachings. These 2 sites, as well as many of the other sites like American Life League, have info on what you can do to be active in the ways I mentioned above.
St. Joseph is a beautiful example for us in the Pro-Life movement. He protected Jesus both before & after His birth from those who would harm him. He heard the call of God & did it, no matter the personal cost. I ask his powerful intercession for this election as well as that of his beloved spouse, Mary, under her title, Our Lady of Guadelupe. Jesus, raise up men & women to run for office who will work to protect life from conception to natural death. Forgive us for our failing to do so in the past. Restore us to the 1 nation under God that we were called to be.
Priests For Life Election Action Center 2006:
USCCB Pro-Life Action Center:
http://www.usccb.org/prolife/
http://www.usccb.org/prolife/
Fr. Lauer's reflection:
posted by Al @ 11:10 PM
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