Catechism of the Catholic Church by Catholic Church

In work, the person exercises and fulfills in part the potential inscribed in his nature. Hence work is a duty: “If any one will not work, let him not eat.” Work honors the Creator’s gifts and the talents received from him (2427). Human work proceeds directly from persons created in the image of God and called to prolong the work of creation by subduing the earth, both with and for one another. It should allow for a natural solidarity to develop between men (2402). The appropriation of property is legitimate for guaranteeing the freedom and dignity of persons and for helping each of them to meet his basic needs and the needs of those in his charge. However, the earth is divided up among men to assure the security of their lives, endangered by poverty and threatened by violence. The goods of creation are destined for the whole human race. In the beginning God entrusted the earth and its resources to the common stewardship of mankind to take care of them, master them by labor, and enjoy their fruits. In that spirit, here are five excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church about work. It is striking that most of his life was dedicated to this task in a simple life which awakened no admiration at all: “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?” (Mark 6:3) (98). Jesus worked with his hands, in daily contact with the matter created by God, to which he gave form by his craftsmanship. Pope Francis wrote this in his 2015 encyclical Laudato si ‘: With summer coming to its unofficial close, we celebrate the importance of work on Labor Day, a national holiday in the United States and Canada.Īs Christians, we know that even Jesus himself worked.

Catechism of the Catholic Church by Catholic Church