Transcript:
Greetings, beloved in Christ. We are coming upon the Labor Day holiday weekend, and for those of us who have the gift of leisure time, I hope that we don’t forget to give thanks for that. I also hope that we take the time to give thanks and to pray for those from whose labors we benefit. I am asking you prayers for all of those third shift workers who are seldom seen by those who work in the daylight hours. I’m asking your prayers and your thanksgiving for those agriculture workers, who prepare our food from field and slaughterhouse to our table. I’m asking for your prayers for all of those who are working second or third jobs to make ends meet. I ask your prayers for these folks. For the service workers and the hospitality people, for all of those who will be working this weekend, I ask your prayers for them, for God’s blessing on their labor, and for our gift to appreciate and reward that labor in ways that honors their humanity.
I want to end by sharing the prayer for Labor Day, which is one of my favorite callings. Let us pray. “Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another, that all we do affects, for good or Ill, all other lives. So guide us in the work we do that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good. And as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspiration of other workers and arouse our concern for those who are out of work through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.” Amen.