Fr. Pat's Message

A businessman in San Antonio parked his brand new car on the street and went off to do some errands. When he returned he found a poor boy of about eleven examining it with his eyes full of wonder and envy.

"Is that your car, mister?" The boy asked.

"Yes" he replied.

"It's beautiful. How much did you pay for it?"

"To be honest, sonny, I don't know."

"You mean you bought it and you don't remember what you paid for it?"

"Sonny, I didn't buy it I got it as a present from my brother."

"You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn't even cost you a Penny?"

"That's right."

"I wish that I..."

The man was so sure the boy was going to say, I wish that I has a brother like that." But what he said was, "I wish that I could be a brother like that."

The businessman was touched deeply by the boys words. "Here was a boy in rags, yet he had more love in his heart than I had. He was richer than I was."

Labor Day is an opportunity for us to examine our commitment to social justice. Work is more than a way to make a living, it is a participation in God's continuing creation. The US Bishops are calling for a new social contract to meet the challenges of today's economy, to help workers and affirm the dignity of the human person. The Labor Day statement written by Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Center, New York notes the pain experienced by the millions of unemployed in our country, pointing out that "people without work retain their dignity as human beings, they lack, however one of the major avenues for self expression and self fulfillment. Work is that aspect of life that allows us to care for ourselves and those we love and to contribute to the wider society." Placing the human person at the center of economic life advances the course of justice and honors God in whose image we have been created.

In his encyclical Deus Caritas Est Pope Benedict XVI writes:

"Love of God and the love of neighbor have become one. In the least of the brethren we find Jesus himself, and in Jesus we find God...Love for widowers and orphan, prisoners and the sick and needy of every kind is as essential to the church as the ministry of the sacraments and preaching of the gospel."

Bishop Murphy offers six criteria to "Evaluate policies and institutions." And to move forward "at a time of economic distress and uncertainty."

These criteria include: respect for human life and dignity, subsidiarity and solidarity, respect for marriage and family life, priority for the poor and vulnerable, recognition of cultural diversity, and the right to economic initiative and productive work.

This Labor Day we see the huge challenges facing so many people. But we must not be discouraged. We recall Jesus' words: "I am with you always." (Matt 28:20) Our Holy Father reminds us:" "As we contemplate the vast amount of work to be done. We are sustained by our faith that God is present alongside those who come together in His name to work for justice."

Fr. Pat