Work and Toil

Tuesday, June 6, 2006 -- Week of Proper 4

For Today's Prayer in the Octave of Prayer for General Convention
go to our Home Page www.stpaulsfay.org and click the link at the top of the page.

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this link -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 969)
Psalms 45 (morning) // 47, 48 (afternoon)
Ecclesiastes 2:16-26
Galatians 1:18 - 2:10
Matthew 13:53-58


There is a common theme in today's readings. (That's pretty unusual.) The Teacher of Ecclesiastes speaks of the vanity of "all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun. For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest." After one has worked so hard, everything you have worked for will be taken away from you at death and given to another, who may be a fool. "This also is vanity," he says.

But then the Teacher settles. Enjoy life as much as you can, remembering the nearness of death. Eat and drink. And find enjoyment in your toil. Be wise. Die. That's about as good as it gets. Be satisfied with that, he says.

He seems to modify his thoughts about work. Work becomes its own end. One doesn't work to become rich -- you can't take it with you and a fool may get it when you die. One doesn't work to create something great or become powerful. You'll die like anyone else. But as you can, find enjoyment in the work you do for its own sake. That's enough.

We see Paul in a major conflict about whether his life's work will continue and be affirmed. He's writing to the church in Galatia because opponents of his gospel are teaching that Christians must maintain their faithfulness to the Torah and the observation of the Old Testament laws. Gentile converts to the church must become Jews, they are teaching. Paul is furious about that. He vigorously defends his position -- he was called by God to be an apostle to the Gentiles and that call was confirmed by Peter and John and James the brother of the Lord. Freedom in Christ is through grace -- a free gift -- not through following the law. Paul sees the seriousness of this conflict. If he loses this debate, his work seems to be for naught. Life in Christ would be just as trapped as his former life under the law.

Finally we read of Jesus and his visit to his hometown where they take offense at him. Who does he think he is? We know him. We've known him since he was a child. We know his family and upbringing. "Where did he get all this?" His work is fruitless in his own hometown.

Most of us have experienced these situations in our work environments. I have worked too hard so that it has felt like "a vexation" and even at night my mind would not rest. I have left the fruits of labor that were subsequently lost or unraveled. I've been in conflicts that I felt could seriously damage the church that I love. I've tried my best and found that it just didn't work in some settings.

There is great wisdom in the modest resigned acceptance that the Teacher advises. Too much attachment to ends creates anxiety and tempts controlling behavior. There is peace in enjoying the work that the day brings, and letting go at that. I feel so lucky to have a job that I enjoy. Day in and day out, I love my work. I think that's pretty unusual. It is easier for me to find pleasure in my toil, easier than Brother Lawrence who worked in a kitchen all day. But Brother Lawrence let his pots and pans sing out the praises of God as he scrubbed to the glory of God.

Some work is oppressive. Some work environments are abusive. Sometimes the oppression is in our minds. Some times we face conflicts that truly matter. Sometimes the best we can offer doesn't produce. It's all there. We live in the same world as the Teacher and Paul and Jesus. Good companionship.

Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas