16 February 2011: The mysterious food of Jesus

The Samaritan woman told the people: “Come and see a man who has told all things I have done.” (Jn 4:29) The disciples, back from buying food, bid him, “Rabbi, eat”; but he replied, “I have food to eat you know not. My food is to do the will of him who sent me, that I may perfect his work” (Jn 4:31-4) [ie, redemption and sanctification of mankind].

Jesus eagerly desires our sanctification more than a famished man seeks food. Soon after hearing Jesus, the people desired him that he would tarry there. Jesus obliged and stayed two days. Many more told the woman, “We now believe; for we have heard him, and know this is indeed the Saviour of the world” (cf Jn 4:41-2).

What an honor for these Samaritans to have been the first to recognize Jesus as the Saviour of the world. Privileged to have believed in him; and found the treasures of faith and sanctifying grace. The fruit of a short visit and a few instructions. To know Jesus is enough. We could never offend him.

Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp381-2

To work is a blessing

After God had created the earth and enriched it with many good things, He “took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till and keep it” (Gen 2:15) ie, to work in it. God created man “in his own image and likeness” (Gen 1:27), also wanted him to share in his creative activity; to transform matter into works of his hands.

Work is not a punishment; but “dignity of life ... a duty imposed by the Creator for man was created that he might work. ... shares in the task of creation, therefore, whatever it may consist of, it is not only something that dignifies man, but is an instrument by which he attains human as well as supernatural perfection.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Letter”, 31 May 1954)

God’s command to work preceded original sin; but sin caused it to be “accompanied by hardship, suffering; by fruitlessness ... weariness. It is still a gift God gives although also a task to be accomplished under difficult circumstances and conditions, in just the same way as the world continues to be God’s, although we are unable to perceive clearly God’s voice.” (cf M Schmaus, “Dogmatic Theology”, II)

Christ, in his years of hidden life in Nazareth and in his public ministry, gave work a redemptive value. Thus, the difficulties of work assume a sanctifying value for all mankind. Sweat and toil offered for love of God become treasures of holiness, the opportune means to share in the work of Creation and work of Redemption.

We can offer to God the tiredness and stress all work brings in expiation for our offences and for those of others. Humbly accepting that inevitable exertion means we can do our part in purifying our intellect, will and senses. (cf Cardinal Wyszynsky, “Work”) Do we consider in God’s presence these noble ends?

For a Christian, work done well is the means of coming into a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. So that “man can be more of a man” (cf John Paul II, “Laborem exercens”, I, 9 ) through work, the means and opportunity to love Christ and help others to know him, a spectrum of human conditions must be fulfilled: diligence, constancy, punctuality ... professional prestige, competence.

Work is a talent which "bears witness to the dignity of man, to his dominion over creation. It provides an opportunity to develop one’s personality. ... a bond of solidarity with other men, the way to support one’s family, a means of contributing to the improvement of society and in aiding the progress of all humanity.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, "Christ is passing by", 47)

Laziness is the great enemy of work and has many manifestations. The lazy person is not only the one who wastes time by doing nothing, but also the person who does many things as if very busy but refuses to bring a specific task to completion. The lazy worker is a friend of ‘beginning’, but is put off by the sacrifice of constancy and perseverance.

“The Christian who shirks his temporal duties, shirks his duties towards his neighbor, neglects God himself, and endangers his eternal salvation.” (Second Vatican Council, “Gaudium et spes”, 43) Such a person overlooks a matter of fundamental importance. Unless he changes, it will be impossible for him to find God. Are we like Jesus toiling in Joseph’s workshop?

‘Professional prestige’ is earned daily by dint of hard work, normally silent, completed to the last detail. Done conscientiously in God’s presence whether people notice it or not. Our example of competent work will help others improve in theirs. Our profession will then become a pedestal for Christ who is seen even from afar.

Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:254-8

Christ Fulfills and Teaches the Gospel of Work

In his parables on the Kingdom of God, Jesus Christ continually refers to human labor. This truth, whereby through his labor man shares in the work of God himself, his Creator, was brought out in a special way by Jesus Christ. Jesus not only proclaimed the word of the eternal wisdom, he also fulfilled it, first of all, through the work of the Gospel.

Therefore, this is the ‘Gospel of Work’, too, because he who proclaimed it was a workman dedicated to a craft, as was Joseph of Nazareth. He said, ‘My Father is the vinegrower ...’ Did he not transfer the fundamental truth on work into his teaching in various ways*, the truth already expressed in the whole of the Old Testament tradition, beginning from the "Book of Genesis"?

*(The work of the shepherd, farmer, physician, sower, householder, servant; of the administrator, fisherman, merchant, laborer. And he speaks of various kinds of women’s work. He presents the apostolate in the likeness of the manual labor of the reaper and of the fisherman. He refers to the work of scholars.)

Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp391-2

Truthfulness -- “Sancta Maria, Sedes Sapientiae” -- Holy Mary, Seat of Wisdom. Invoke Our Mother often in that way, so that she may fill her children, in their study, work and social relations, with the Truth that Christ has brought to us. (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 607)

• Our Lady of the Thorn, near Chalons in Champagne, so-named because this image was found under a white-thorn. — Triple Courorne, n. 54. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of the Thorn (Near Chalon in Champagne, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of the Thorn. Chalons-sur-Marne, France, 19th Century. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of the Thorn. Chalons-sur-Marne, France. 19th century. Name of a former convent in Portugal, now being reconstructed into a luxury hotel. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)