Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, September 6, 2026

This weekend we celebrate Labor Day.  Early leaders of the labor movement established the holiday in the late 19^thcentury as a day celebrating the commitment and effort of workers and giving them a day of rest.  On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law establishing the federal holiday of Labor Day on the first Monday in September.  Informally, Labor Day also marks the end of summer.

The Bible often refers to labor and work.  From the earliest verses of Genesis, we hear of God’s work of creation and his rest: “And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done.”  God’s pattern of work followed by rest became Jewish law: “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest…”

Many of us respect and appreciate those who “work hard.”  We recognize their contributions whether they are young students who devote time to their studies, or athletes or musicians who put in extra practice, or parents who work two jobs to pay rent and put food on the table.  In both our secular lives as well as in our spiritual lives, hard work and dedication are critical. 

However, sometimes we can be overwhelmed with the challenges that we face in our family lives, our careers, and our spiritual lives.  Sometimes we may feel that it is impossible to balance all of the competing priorities that we face.  Between our kids, extended families, jobs, and social commitments, spending time with Jesus can seem like one more obligation piled onto all our other obligations.  But Jesus is not an obligation, He is a loving relationship who is also a resource.  We invite into our lives not as one more distraction or obligation, but as a relief to our burdens.  It may seem counterintuitive that adding one more thing onto our list of “to-do” items can actually ease our burdens, but that is precisely what happens when we invite Jesus to help us to carry our load.

So, as we celebrate Labor Day, let’s consider not only our physical labors, but also our spiritual labors.  Let’s turn to the One who is always ready to guide us and assist us in our struggles. 

Fr. Mike