My memories of elementary school from many years ago include frequent tests and quizzes, an abundance of daily desk work, and of course, homework. The teacher often displayed quality student work on classroom bulletin boards. Sometimes, in addition to the grade, marked in red ink, the teacher placed a sticker on the paper. It was gratifying to have a little sticker adorn one’s work, a star, a pumpkin in fall, a snowflake in winter, or some other seasonal splash of color. I’m not sure how often my work merited posting.
I suspect the intention was to reward and acknowledge effort and accomplishment. It’s a good day when you receive a gold star on a math quiz.
We use the word “work” for various kinds of service – we work for our families and the common good of society. Our view of work, paid employment, volunteering, household tasks, studying, and so on, I think, is in part rooted in the example of the working adults we knew when we were young.
We “work at” hobbies, skills, or a relationship because we find it rewarding, makes us better, delights us, or simply because it is good for someone else.
In The Rule of Saint Benedict, the sixth-century blueprint for Benedictine monastic life, prayer is called “the work of God.”
A relationship that we value, that we recognize as good for us, is one at which we are willing to work. In light of our faith, prayer is how we pursue and open our lives to a relationship with the Lord. We work at our response to His initiative, His grace.
In the Gospels, Jesus often used images drawn from work that filled the days of His listeners. We imagine that from a young age, Jesus also would have endured long days of hard work. The people, moved by His stories, could identify with building, sheepherding, farming, fishing, serving a household, raising children, and more. Jesus taught his followers to expand their understanding of the loving relationship to which God was inviting them.
Prayer places all of our lives, work, play, and rest at the service of God’s love.
“Majestic and glorious is your work, your wise design endures forever.” (Psalm 111:3)
Let us pray in our families for a deeper understanding of how we find the Glory of God in the ordinary work of our daily lives.