GARCIA-LUENSE: Labor important part of Catholic social teachings

In September, we celebrated a holiday here in the U.S. called “Labor Day.” For many of us, despite the ongoing heat we experience here in Houston, this holiday marks, if not the end of summer, at least a return to more regular school and work schedules.

The origins of this holiday lie in the history of labor movements in the U.S. and their efforts to secure better and more humane working conditions in a newly industrialized society. Despite these more secular origins, the goals of this holiday resonate very highly with the Catholic Church’s social teachings.

From the Catholic perspective, human beings occupy a unique place in the order of creation in that we are exclusively called to share in God’s creative capacity and participate in the ongoing unfolding of creation.

Work is, therefore, both a great gift and a profound responsibility (cf. CCC, no. 2472). Work is an essential part of human life and plays a significant role in our overall well-being and dignity. It is not just a means to earn a living but also a way to express ourselves, feel useful, learn important life lessons, and, indeed, participate in our own redemption and sanctification. The Catholic Church recognizes the importance of work and its impact on individuals and society as a whole.

When people work, they not only produce goods and services but also undergo personal growth and development. Work has the power to change both the world and the worker, and it can either enhance or suppress a person’s dignity.

Therefore, it is crucial to foster dignified work that respects the capacities and qualities of human beings. The Catechism, referencing the teachings of St. John Paul II, puts it this way, “Work is for man, not man for work (CCC, no. 2428).”

The Church teaches that work should be designed in a way that allows workers to use their intelligence and freedom, promotes social relationships and collaboration, and does not harm their physical, spiritual, or emotional well-being. Good work should satisfy genuine human needs, enable workers to provide for themselves and their families, and contribute to the flourishing of others in society.

In terms of providing for themselves, the Catechism defines a just wage as one that will “guarantee man the opportunity to provide a dignified livelihood for himself and his family on the material, social, cultural and spiritual level (no. 2434).”

Pope Francis, in his encyclical Fratelli Tutti, emphasizes the importance of work in promoting the good of the people and providing individuals with the opportunity to nurture their talents and contribute to society (no. 162). He states that there is no poverty worse than the one that takes away work and the dignity it brings. Work is not just a means to earn a living but also a source of personal growth, healthy relationships, self-expression, and the exchange of gifts. It gives individuals a sense of shared responsibility for the development of the world and their life as a people.

In a Church that has a feast day in honor of St. Joseph the Worker (May 1), work is not just a means to survive but an essential component of human life and a path to holiness. It allows individuals to express themselves, feel useful, and learn important life lessons. It is through work that individuals find dignity and a sense of shared responsibility for the development of the world. The Church recognizes the challenges faced by workers and calls on leaders to prioritize creating opportunities for all to earn a just wage and live a dignified life.

St. Joseph the Worker, pray for us. 

Brian Garcia-Luense is an associate director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. 

(OSV News photo)