My work is holy, in fact, all of our work is holy. Saint Therese of Avila reminds us: "Know that even when you are in the kitchen, our Lord moves amidst the pots and pans." I hate washing the dishes, so this keeps me present to God's presence. My field is in medicine, the complex meeting place between spiritual and corporal works of mercy. God also moves amidst the patients, the overtime, the filing, the emails, the commutes, the meetings, and the business trips. He calls us to do our work with love, humility and charity—to bring Him back into the workplace through our actions and intentions.
Even on days when I slept through my alarm, missed the bus, left my wallet behind, missed a deadline, spilled, my coffee, lost my cool, forgot a birthday, hit my funny bone, got stuck at all the red lights, and I was ready to throw in the towel, He still calls me to do my work with love.
In today's first reading Saint Paul gives us a perfect example of determination and perseverance during what can definitely be called a pretty bad day at work. Ousted from the city by an angry mob and left for dead, he does not throw in the towel. In the immortal words of Frank Sinatra, he picks himself up, dusts himself off, and tries all over again. While I doubt Fields and Kern had Saint Paul in mind when they wrote their crooner's classic, a particular line of the song stands out:
"You gotta work like a soul inspired until the battle of the day is won."
Today, Lord, remind me that the work you've set before me—in my home, in my field, in my education—is a battlefield and that every hardship, every bad day I have is part of Your plan for me to bring glory to You. Help me infuse all the work of my day with love and dedication. Help me pick myself up, dust myself off, and find You in the mission You have given me.
Let's pray that prayer together.
Molly Walter is a Catholic convert, wife and mother to one crazy five year old, a new baby girl and four saints in heaven. She uses her degree in Theatre more as mother than she did while in the business. She enjoys reading, knitting, and rescuing third class relics from Goodwill. Find out more about her here.
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