After the first sin, women began to suffer labor pains in bringing forth children (Gn 3:16). Men also began to suffer other pains of labor. To make a living, men had to sweat and suffer (Gn 3:19). Work became a curse. It was a living hell.
Only in Jesus is the curse of work removed. In Jesus, we no longer are slaves forced to work for our human needs. Instead, we are slaves of Christ (Col 3:23-24). We don't have to work for perishable food; we can work for food that lasts unto life eternal (Jn 6:27). Moreover, we don't have to work for everything we get. We can receive grace, that is, a free, unworked-for gift of God.
This life of grace is prefigured by the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. In this miracle, four thousand people got something for nothing (Mk 8:9). They didn't have to work for it. Humanity's slavery to work was superseded by grace from Jesus.
Jesus worked as a carpenter for most of His life, and then became a curse for us by hanging on the tree of the cross (Gal 3:13). Jesus has freed us from the curse of work. Therefore, instead of working in a dead-end job, work for the living, eternal Jesus.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I not work on Sundays to show the world I am free from slavery to work. |
| PROMISE: | "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd." –Mk 8:2 |
| PRAISE: | By dedicating his business to the Sacred Heart, Patrick made his office a place of prayer. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College