Moments in Philippine Daily Inquirer by Fr Jerry Orbos SVD
I have heard some people say, and with pride even, that they have never needed to work a day in their life. I shake my head in disbelief, with a tinge of envy maybe but more with disgust, when I hear these people born with a silver spoon in their mouth talk this way. But what these “greater gods” among us miss out on is the real value of working for meaning and fulfillment in life. As someone once said, “An empty pocket teaches you a million things in life, but a full pocket spoils you in a million ways.”
In our mission center in San Jose, Batangas, we do manual work in the morning and in the afternoon. It is very fulfilling and rewarding to get one’s hands dirty, to sweat it out, and to till the soil and take part in transforming God’s creation. It can be a humbling experience, and also a prayerful one. Hard, good, and honest work is itself its own reward. Yes, there is no substitute for hard work.
“Why do you stand here idle all day?” These words of the Lord should jolt those who don’t have much to do in this life. We should all make good use of our time while we are alive. Furthermore, we should make good use of our talent and put to good use our treasures while we still can. When we face God in the end, may we have little or no regret that we have not done or given our very best. Lord, spare us from empty, vain and shallow lives. Amen.
Think about it: “The Word of God is the voice when you don’t know what to say; the strength when you are tired; the hope when you are discouraged; the joy when you are sad; the guide when you are lost.”
Let us pray that the Lord spare our people from more natural and political calamities in the days to come. Let us continue to be one with our suffering people in prayers, thoughts, words, and work.
A moment with the Lord:
Lord, help me to be one with You and Your people in word and in work. Amen.
Read more: https://opinion.inquirer.net/78642/gods-word-and-work#ixzz5hrnJv7TG
Éditions Verbum Bible 