worship while you work
"Through Jesus Christ may He carry out in you all that is pleasing to Him. To Christ be glory forever! Amen." —Hebrews 13:21
The Bible tells us to "continually offer God a sacrifice of praise" (Heb 13:15). At first, this seems impossible, but then God's word reveals that our actions can be sacrifices of praise. "Do not neglect good deeds and generosity; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind" (Heb 13:16). We should offer our work as an expression of worship. We do the highest quality work, because a sacrifice which is not the best is unacceptable to the Lord (Lv 1:3; Mal 1:7-8).
Furthermore, since we worship in Spirit and truth (Jn 4:23), work which is worship is marked by exceptional dedication and enthusiasm. "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being. Do it for the Lord rather than for men...Be slaves of Christ the Lord" (Col 3:23-24).
Jesus was so involved in His work He could not "so much as eat" (Mk 6:31). So many demands were made on Jesus that He could not even go "to an out-of-the-way place and rest a little" (Mk 6:31). Jesus was not a workaholic, but He was giving us an example of how to work and worship with all our heart and soul. Worship at church makes it possible for us to worship at work and to offer a continual "sacrifice of praise" (Heb 13:15).
Prayer: "May the God of peace, Who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do His will" (Heb 13:20-21).
Promise: "He pitied them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them at great length." —Mk 6:34
Praise: At work, Thomas and his co-workers break at noon to pray the Angelus together.
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 11, 2008
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