The election puts focus on the nature of the work we need to do in our time
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
“Non recuso laborem” — I do not refuse the labor.
These are the words of St. Martin of Tours, the 4th century bishop whose feast day we celebrate this week (Nov. 11). He appeared to be dying and, in truth, he was ready to go home to the Lord. But his flock begged him to stay with them. He prayed, simply: “Lord, if your people still need me, I am ready for the task … I do not refuse the labor.”
Print deadlines put me in a funny position this week. As I write these words, we stand before the election. When you read them, the election will be over. I think, whichever way the results turn out, we’ll be facing a mighty task. But the spirit of St. Martin of Tours can guide us in taking up the labors that belong to our time. Will you join with me in repeating his words? “Lord … I do not refuse the labor.”
It’s interesting that on St. Martin’s feast day, we hear the words of St. Paul’s letter to Titus: “For this reason I left you in Crete, so that you might set right what remains to be done.” St. Paul appointed Titus to do the work of building up the Church in Crete. Titus did not refuse the labor.
It’s also interesting that we celebrate the feast of St. Frances Cabrini this week (Nov. 13). The first U.S. citizen to be canonized, she, too, did not refuse the labor of her time. In her case it was caring for immigrants, especially through establishing schools, hospitals and orphanages.
And it’s interesting that on her feast day, we hear these words from St. Luke: “As Jesus continued His journey to Jerusalem…” The journey to Jerusalem takes up the bulk of the Gospel of Luke, spanning from chapter nine to chapter 19! Jesus simply continues to do the work appointed for Him. That work ultimately leads Him to Jerusalem and the Cross. And Jesus, looking at the Cross, will say to the Father: “I do not refuse the labor.”
Easier said than done, right?!
That’s why it’s consoling to note that, in the Office of Readings this week, the Church has us reading from the book of the prophet Daniel. Daniel and his companions were challenged to keep their faith in a foreign land; they did not refuse the labor. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were challenged to keep their faith at the cost of being thrown into the fiery furnace; they did not refuse the labor.
It’s also consoling to read this week how “Jesus told His disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary” (Luke 18:1).
The Church is straining every muscle this week to invite and challenge us to take up the attitude of St. Martin of Tours. As you read this, and the exact contours of the work we face becomes clear, I invite you to join me in saying together: “Lord … I do not refuse the labor.”
