A Reflection on "Laborem Exercens" (On Human Work)

John Paul II wrote 14 encyclicals before he passed away last
April 2, 2005. Of his 14 encyclicals, the 3rd one spoke about the
subject of Human Work - "Laborem Exercens". This encyclical was
also written by the Holy Father in relation to the ninetieth
anniversary of "Rerum Novarum" (Of New Things) - a social
encyclical written by Pope Leo XIII.

In "Laborem Exercens", John Paul affirms that human life is built
up from daily work. Many people are able to support themselves
and their families through their daily jobs. And the successes
that are obtained from the work of human hands are ultimately
because of God's grace, help, and blessings. This is the side of
work where people benefit from their labors. However, there is
also a side of human work wherein people have to involve
themselves in a lot of toil, suffering, harm, and even injustice.
This we know through Christian teaching is part of our human lot
as a result of our first parents' fall from grace.

Although work has its downsides and may give us very heavy
burdens, John Paul teaches that it still remains a good thing,
because it increases our dignity as a people capable of improving
systems, transforming landscapes, or creating and innovating new
technologies. Through human work, humanity can transform the
world at a level of human life which is better than the past,
and which also transforms people with more knowledge, skills,
experience, and wisdom.

In his encyclical, John Paul teaches also that the family unit
is also important in the area of human work - it is the "first
school" of work. Parents teach their children the values that
will make them assets to their society and leaders that will
mold the society towards a direction of progress and peace.
These values that parents teach their children (not only by
word, but also by example), are Christian values that many of
us know are important in the field of human work: honesty,
diligence, integrity, and respect.

In our present times, when the tide of global economic crises
has swamped many economies, a lot of people are losing their
jobs. This loss of job is not only a monetary loss for the worker
and his family, but also, in the light of this encyclical written
by John Paul, a great loss of human dignity. It is the sign of
the times that we are meant to look at also with a contemplative
eye. Even if the present global crises may seem to be only a
matter of macroeconomics, there is always and will still be
an element of mystery, which can only be understood deeply
in the light of our Christian faith - especially in relation to
the suffering of the innocent (like Job in the Old Testament),
and the suffering of those unjustly treated (like our Lord Jesus
and His Cross).

If we read carefully the encyclical in detail, especially the
concluding section, we will see how John Paul teaches us the
value of hoping in God - more specifically, the Resurrection of
our Lord. If we also are familiar with the prophetic and
apocalyptic literature of the Bible, we know that it speaks of
a "new heaven and a new earth". So, whatever the whole of
creation is experiencing now (groaning in travail as Paul in
his Letter to the Romans tell us), the Spirit will always help
us in our weakness. For in God is our strength and our hope
for salvation.

Our Christian hope for a "new earth" is also directed towards
the building and development of God's Kingdom. The gift of
fortitude, long-suffering, patient endurance, and strength,
will help us endure the trials of the present, and if we also
get our inspiration from the martyrdom Christ experienced, in
fulfilling His earthly mission of directing human life towards
the Father's will.