Keeping work in perspective

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

Americans will celebrate Labor Day on Monday. Many will spend the day relaxing or engaging in their favorite leisure activity. But for millions, Labor Day will be just another work day in a store, restaurant, hospital or nursing home. For workaholics, at least part of Labor Day will be spent using e-mail, cell phones, a PDA or laptop to squeeze in a few more hours of work.

Not so fast, Pope Benedict XVI warned on Aug. 20 in a noon blessing at his summer residence outside Rome. The pope cited the writings of St. Bernard of Clairvaux. This 12th-century Cistercian abbot warned against "the dangers of excessive activity, whatever the condition or office held, because many occupations lead to a 'hardening of the heart' and suffering of the spirit," Pope Benedict said.

"This warning," the pope said, "is valid for every kind of occupation, even those involving the governance of the church."

For example, the pope said St. Bernard criticized the reigning pontiff, Pope Eugenius III, for "losing himself" in his many activities and forgetting the primacy of prayer and contemplation. Those remarks are worth remembering today, Pope Bendict said.

And St. Bernard was a hard worker. He oversaw the activities of hundreds of monks in the monastery he had founded at Clairvaux. Plus, he personally established 65 monasteries in 38 years and he was a prolific writer. But, he knew there was more to life than work.

An underlying theme in St. Bernard's writings is that divine love is the greatest source of spiritual strength, the pope said.

Spiritual strength, we believe, gives us the resources to work, play, relax and to be a valuable member of our family, parish and larger community.