All work is a work of God
The current period of isolation that the world is still grappling with has been accompanied with a sense of awareness that wouldn’t have been possible during the rush hour mornings, moving through a crowded bus or just ruminating on the daily tasks to be done. This heightened attention to detail has made it possible to recognise the newly planted daffodils in the park. Admiring a Nail Technician’s ability to take her time to file and remove every cuticle. Empathising with the bus driver as he sincerely apologises for not being able to take on extra people as the bus has reached its full capacity. Booking several appointments with a plumber and struggling to comprehend the technicalities of his job.
These interactions reveal a realisation of the manner in which our society places value on some professions, while others may be viewed as inferior, thus creating a culture of seeking validation and attention for a title, rather than for doing a job well.
Everyone wants to be valued. It’s a normal feeling we humans desire at some point in our life. But valuing a title over the value of work done allows for mediocrity to prevail and mediocrity is not what Saint Josemaría had in mind when he began Opus Dei.
The pandemic has forced some bankers to lose their jobs, but the plumber still has a job. The secretary at the opulent corporate firm is currently on PUP*, but the cleaner who cleans the firm has a plethora of shifts. The majority of the non-medical workers that have been identified as ‘essential workers’ are working jobs that were traditionally viewed as inferior or ‘less than’. We ought to spend this feast day of Saint Josemaría reflecting and appreciating the significance of the idea that he received from God.
How many people will now view hairdressers and beauticians as heroes? Cleaners as saints and transport workers as saviours. They have made it possible to have some sense of normalcy during this difficult time.
As a teenager, I valued putting more effort into my schoolwork over washing the dishes, cleaning, cooking or running errands. Because these are insignificant jobs, right? Why should I work as hard around the house as I do at school? What value will that add to my life. Then my parents gave me a gospel truth (pun intended); whatever you do, do it extremely well!
work as a path to sanctity
Opus Dei teaches that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary life is a path to sanctity. Opus Dei means ‘Work of God’ as Saint Josemaría wanted to highlight that this was God’s work, not his work.
Every work you do is an act of service to God. The landscapers that planted those daffodils were making the earth God created look beautiful. The nail technician makes the hands God stitched together look neat and aesthetic. The cleaners are making buildings clean and safe for everyone to enjoy and utilise. God represents everything we do. Although some jobs require more years of training with more money involved and therefore that should be accounted for, we shouldn’t disregard the significance of the lower-skilled jobs that are required for the high skilled jobs to be able to operate.
Colossians 3:23-24 says:
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ”
Let’s change this culture of seeking validation for mere status and titles and thus encouraging mediocrity and instead let’s normalise valuing the work that is done.
PUP* = Pandemic Unemployment Payment