Our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper

This Labor Day Weekend, we honor all our brothers and sisters, past and present, who have labored for us. We thank God and them for their time and talent, whether they worked or work in a factory. a farm, an office or at home. May the Lord strengthen us all to work together, to build up His earthly kingdom.

In our first reading, Ezekiel states that we are responsible for one another and must try to lead each other in the path of righteousness. St. Paul, in writing to the community at Rome, states, “We are bound by the law of love.”

Jesus, in the Gospel, states, “He is present wherever two or three are gathered in His name and we must daily work for forgiveness and reconciliation with each other.”

All these three relate to putting our Faith, Hope and Love into action. It is not enough to pray; we must act in making life letter for all our brothers and sisters. We need to remember the story about a recently engaged girl, talking with her dad.

He asked her, “When David proposed to you, did you ask him if he had come to see me and get my permission?” She replied, “Yes, Dad and he said he had seen and talked with you, but that he still loved me and wanted to marry me!” So, we may feel the same as David, but we must still reach out to all people.

With all that has happened in the past months in our world, there is no question that we need to pray and be concerned for one another and even to work for a conversion of heart.

I recently found a prayer by President George Washington, around l783 that he wrote that states, “Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that thou will keep the United States in thy holy protection, that Thou will incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens. And that thou will dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, humility, and peaceful temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.”

These readings and prayer of President Washington challenge us all to be and do what we can to lead others back to the Lord and a righteous life. This is a very sensitive, challenging and difficult thing to do that. It must always be done in love. It is not easy for us to turn over a new leaf in ourselves — never mind to lovingly and patiently correct another.

Our attitude as well as our harsh, stern, and negative words may drive people away. Our principles and values are counter-cultural, and are not seen, understood or appreciated as a high priority in today’s world. Don’t get discouraged!

If you try to lead someone away from doing something that is bad; if your efforts fail or fall on deaf ears; there is always prayer. Prayer is something we can and should always do for those we care about and want to help. Our goal as followers of Jesus Christ is reconciliation, forgiveness, peace and love - never exclusion.

However, prayer in itself is not sufficient — work, time, effort and talent are important actions to make this a reality. In particular, we celebrate Labor Day Weekend.

FATHER ROBERT TUCKER