We're continuing our review of social justice this week. The fifth theme of Catholic social teaching is:  Catholic Teaching on the Dignity of Work.

According to the US Council of Catholic Bishops, "The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s act of creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers, owners, and others must be respected—the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to organize and choose to join a union, to economic initiative, and to ownership and private property. These rights must be exercised in ways that advance the common good."

This teaching on social justice promotes our own work, the work of others, and the recognition that all people deserve the just rewards of their service. How often do you consider your everyday routines as the creative fulfillment of the glory of God? Our employment, hobbies, chores and leisure time should all be an expression of our love for God. So often we think of work just as the way to make money. Yet we should regularly reflect on our accomplishments and the accomplishments of others and come to the conclusion that "it is good."

How often do you treat other workers, such as cashiers, bank tellers, lawyers, teachers, and anyone else with whom you come in contact, with the love and kindness they deserve? During this season of Advent why not consider all the people whose hard work makes your life better? Say a prayer for the people who scrape the snow off the streets so you can drive safely. Be nice to your insurance agent, be patient with the sales clerk who didn't get your order quite right. Be thoughtful to your co-worker who often drives you crazy. Put in the effort at your own work and show you are bringing God's kingdom to earth. 

• Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday use your violet candle for Advent! (Click here to learn more about Advent)
   
• Wednesday, December 6 use a violet candle, but be sure to take some time to celebrate the memorial of St. Nicholas. There are children in many parts of the world who hang their stockings over the hearth on the evening of December 5th, then wake up and look for special treats this morning. The original St. Nicholas was a bishop in Asia Minor. He was well-known for opposing heresies, as well as for his charity. The best known story about St. Nicholas involves his secretly giving money to a poor man's daughters so they could marry instead of being forced into prostitution. To this day we celebrate the charity of St. Nicholas by exchanging gifts at Christmas.
   
• Thursday, December 7 use a white candle for the memorial of St. Ambrose, a bishop and doctor of the Church who also battled heresies. He had the satisfaction of baptizing St. Augustine, who also became a bishop and doctor of the Church.
   
• Friday, December 8 use a white candle for the Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception, the celebration of Mary's conception (not Jesus' conception, a common mistake) free from original sin. Although this was accepted by Sacred Tradition for centuries, it was not actually defined as dogma until 1854.

A Little Catholic Trivia

Which sacrament does every Christian receive?

Every Christian receives the sacrament of Baptism.