“He [God] rested on the seventh day after all the work he had been doing” (Gen.2:2). Part of God’s work was creating humanity in his own image. Catholic Social Teaching promotes the idea that work is a sacred act; work is dignified because it is a form of continuing participation in God’s work, his creation.
Rights of workers (productive work, fair wages, safety, organization, private property, etc.) must be protected so that once workers are able to provide security for their own families they are able to contribute to the common good. Each of us “is the heir to the work of generations and at the same time a sharer in building the future of those who will come after” (St. John Paul II).
The focus of CST is the human person. Profit at the expense of the dignity or rights of another is immoral. We are called to work justly together, the employer and employee, neither taking advantage of the other. A fair day’s work for a fair day’s wage benefits everyone. Then we can all rest on the Seventh Day!
At MMOC we support Bridge Bread, an organization providing meaningful employment for an underserved population.
Becky Quick (314)703-1131