The Christian Meaning and Value of Work In the Social Teachings of the Popes, especially Pope John Paul II (Towards a Spirituality of Work)

The Christian Meaning and The Christian Meaning and Value of WorkValue of Work

In the Social Teachings of the In the Social Teachings of the Popes, Popes,

especially Pope John Paul IIespecially Pope John Paul II

(Towards a Spirituality of Work)(Towards a Spirituality of Work)

The social teachings of the Church draws its origin from the

encounter of the Gospel and its

ethical requirements with the problems that arise in the life of

society.

It “proposes principles for

reflection, provides criteria for

judgment and guidelines for

action” (CCC 2423) that help in the

proper ordering of the concerns

emanating from man’s life in

society.

The Church does not offer technical solutions

Nor does she propose economic and political systems or programs.

The Church’s social doctrine is not a “third way” between capitalism and Marxist collectivism. It is not an ideology.

It is rather the accurate formulation of the results of a careful

reflection on the complex realities of

human life, in society and in the international

order, in the light of the faith and the

Church’s tradition.

Papal Social Papal Social EncyclicalsEncyclicals EncyclicalsEncyclicals are important are important

and authoritative documents and authoritative documents written by a pope and written by a pope and addressed to the entire addressed to the entire people of God.people of God.

Deals on Deals on moral and doctrinal moral and doctrinal matters.matters.

Social encyclicalsSocial encyclicals deal on deal on social, economic, polititical social, economic, polititical and cultural matters.and cultural matters.

The first encyclical was The first encyclical was written by Pope Benedict XIV written by Pope Benedict XIV in 1745. It dealt on usury.in 1745. It dealt on usury.

Papal Social TeachingsPapal Social Teachings

Rerum Novarum(On the Condition of Labor, 1891) - Pope Leo XIII

Quadragesimo Anno(The Reconstruction of the Social Order, 1931)

- Pope Pius XI

Papal Social TeachingsPapal Social Teachings

Numerous Addresses & Messages

Pope Pius XII

Mater et Magistra (Christianity & Social Progress, 1961)

Pacem in Terris(Peace on Earth, 1963)

- Pope John XXIII

Papal Social TeachingsPapal Social Teachings

Gaudium et Spes(The Church in the Modern World, 1965)

- Vatican II

Populorum Progressio (The Development of Peoples, 1967)Octogesima Adveniens (A Call to Action, 1971)

- Pope Paul VI

Papal Social TeachingsPapal Social Teachings

Laborem Exercens (On Human Work, 1981)

Sollicitudo Rei Socialis(The Social Concerns of the Church, 1988)

Centesimus Annus(One Hundred Years, 1991)

Pope John Paul II

Laborem ExercensLaborem Exercens

Document entirely Document entirely devoted to the devoted to the single theme of the single theme of the dignity and value of dignity and value of the worker and his the worker and his workwork

First time that a First time that a pope has done thispope has done this

Salient Points in Papal Teachings Salient Points in Papal Teachings on Workon Work

Briefly articulating what the Briefly articulating what the popes consider as the popes consider as the “spheres “spheres of value”of value” inherent in work inherent in work

These fundamental values These fundamental values attached to work also constitute attached to work also constitute the elements of what we call the elements of what we call “the spirituality of labor”“the spirituality of labor”

WorkWork – Basic Dimension of – Basic Dimension of LifeLife

Work Work “is a “is a fundamental fundamental dimension of man’s dimension of man’s existence on earth.”existence on earth.”

As someone created in As someone created in the image and likeness the image and likeness of God, of God, “only man is “only man is capable of work, only capable of work, only man works.”man works.”

John Paul IIJohn Paul II

“Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.”

“Man is the image of God through the mandate received from his Creator to subdue, to have dominion over, the earth.”

Personal Value of WorkPersonal Value of Work

Work has value because the one who carries it out

is a human person, a conscious and

free subject, someone who decides about

himself.

...is determined not by the kind of work done, but by the fact that the one doing it is a human person.

The value

of work…

“The primary basis of the value of work is man himself…”

John Paul II

“Work is for man, not man for work…”

The worker is not a

merchandise to be sold and

bought

The Church has always condemned situations where the dignity of the

worker is violated.

By his work, man realizes his calling to have dominion or mastery over the earth.

By working, man transforms nature adopting it to his use and needs.

By working, man cooperates with God in “perfecting,

completing and embellishing” God’s creation.

God allows man to put, as it were, “the last touches” on the things He has created

-Paul VI

Through work, man not only transforms nature… but he also achieves fulfillment as a human being and, in a sense, becomes “more a human being.” -- John Paul II

He fulfills his calling to be a person, a calling that is his by reason of his humanity. -- John Paul II

In and through work,

the human person brings about his self-realization.

By working, man perfects,

“creates” himself.

“Work is for the family, not the

family for work.”

John Paul II

Work makes it possible for the person to provide for the needs

of his/her family.

Through work man is inserted into a web of social relations. Work has an inherent social

dimension.

Work must be transformed into service, animated by charity, to one’s family, society and

country.

Jesus, by becoming the “carpenter’s son,” sanctified the world of work,

and gave it new meaning and value.

“By enduring the toil of work in

union with Christ crucified,

man collaborates with him for the Redemption of

humanity.”

“The Christian finds in

human work a small part of the Cross of Christ.”

John Paul II:

“Sweat and toil, which work necessarily involves… present the Christian with the possibility of sharing lovingly in the work that Christ came to do. This work of salvation came about through suffering and death on the Cross. By enduring the toil of work in union with Christ crucified for us, man in a way collaborates with the Son of God for the redemption of humanity.”

For the Christian, this is the final word for the dignity and

value of human labor.

We can encounter the loving presence of

God…,

in the work that we do….in the places where we

work.

“Let the Christian…, uniting work with prayer,

know the placethat His work has,

not only in earthly progress, but also in the development of the Kingdom of God, to which we are all

called…”

Pope John Paul II: