LABOR DAY Lectionary #907

The memorial of St. Gregory the Great takes precedence on this date in 2007, so those texts and appropriate hymnody should be used for regularly scheduled Masses. However, prayers for workers should also be included in those Masses. If a special celebration is planned, the texts may be taken from the readings and prayers “For the Blessing of Human Labor.” In the encyclical Rerum novarum , the first major papal address on modern labor (May 15, 1891), Pope Leo XIII wrote: “According to natural reason and Christian philosophy, working for gain is creditable, not shameful, to someone, since it enables that person to earn an honorable livelihood; but to misuse people as though they were things in the pursuit of gain, or to value them solely for their physical powers—that is truly shameful and inhuman.” And as Monsignor George Higgins, the “labor priest” who died in May 2002, wrote: “The overwhelming majority of lay people . . . will exercise their ministry, their calling or vocation, not behind the altar rail or within the sanctuary but in and through their respective occupations, be they workers, employers, bankers, professionals, or what have you . . . At a time when the church puts so much emphasis on the work of catechetical, liturgical, and other ministries within the church—and rightly so—we must pay attention also to those who work as Christians in what are sometimes denigrated as purely ‘secular' tasks.”

1 Thessalonians 4:1b-2, 9-12

Early in his ministry, Paul offers a model for daily Christian life that includes “work with your own hands” as well as “mutual charity.”

Psalm of the Day: Ps 90

This psalm is the same one used on the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (see additional suggestions for musical settings there). It is primarily a lament with some added wisdom elements. The verses chosen for today begin with the introductory lament over the human condition (vv. 3-6) and end with the petition for wisdom and salvation from divine wrath (vv. 12-17).

In Every Age (Gelineau or Murray with antiphon III by Proulx) RS 120

In Every Age (Gelineau or Murray/Englert) WOR 48

In Every Age (Guimont) GC 83

In Every Age (Smith) GP 228

Señor, Tu Has Sido Nuestro Refugio (Palazón) FYC 230

Matthew 6:31-34

The Christian perspective sees everything in light of the reign of God: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness . . .”

Songs for the Liturgy

All That I Am CH 373

All Who Love and Serve Your City CH 467/WOR 621

Busca Primero Cantos de Pueblo de Dios (WLP) 148

Come to Me GC 647/RS 763

Digo Sí, Señor Cantos de Pueblo de Dios (WLP) 128/GC 597/RS 722

For the Fruits of This Creation JS 418/RS 704/WC 939/WOR 562

For the Healing of the Nations GC 719/JS 472/RS 823/WC 913/WOR 643

God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens CH 604/RS 819

God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending RS 794

He Understands; He'll Say “Well Done” LMGM 144

I Will Not Die GC 657/GP 716/JS 552/RS 771

In the Midst of Work or Pain CH 522

Jesus Our Divine Companion WC 915

Just a Little While LMGM 146

Justice Shall Flourish WC 912

Lord of All Hopefulness CH 524/GC 578/GP 622/JS 415/RS 713/WC 792/WOR 568

Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service CH 606/GC 681/GP 557/JS 462/RS 793/WC 916/WOR 630

Lover of Us All GC 633/GP 643/JS 550

Moved by the Gospel, Let Us Move GC 685/RS 801

Praise and Thanksgiving GC 764/RS 867

Profetiza Cantos de Pueblo de Dios (WLP) 174/FYC 335

Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God GC 615/GP 608/JS 544/RS 728/WC 819/WOR 580

Send Us Forth JS 639

Those Who Love and Those Who Labor CH 481/RS 805/WOR 632

Today I Awake GC 755/RS 857

We Shall Not Be Silent GP 559/JS 665

What Does the Lord Require RS 783/WOR 624