In 1981, Pope John Paul II wrote his encyclical, "Laborem exercens," in celebration of the earlier treatise on the value of work, "Rerum Novarum," by Pope Leo XIII. Now, nearly 25 years later, the words of our recently departed Holy Father still retain their vibrance and relevance for our world, today. For even as the specific circumstances and situations around work change with each advancement of technology and the expansion of globalization, his words remain as true today as when John Paul II first wrote them: "The Church considers it her task always to call attention the dignity and rights of those who work and to condemn situations in which that dignity and those rights are violated"(No. 1). It is in honor of his still recent passing and the timeliness of his foundational writings on the dignity of work that I particularly draw upon "Laborem exercens" as a guiding source for observing Labor Day 2005.

The dignity of work transcends class, required educational level, remuneration scales and all other measures as exemplified by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who, while being True God, passed most of his life on earth doing the manual work of a carpenter. Work is, in the words of John Paul II, "a fundamental dimension of Man’s existence on earth." ("Laborem exercens," No. 4)

"Laborem exercens" posits six essential rights of workers: (1) the right to a just wage; (2) the right to health care for workers and their families; (3) the right to rest; (4) the right to a pension and to insurance for old age; (5) the right to a working environment and manufacturing process which are not harmful; and (6) the right of association of workers.

One does not need to delve too deeply into the daily newspapers or search too far into the nightly news to see that today each of these rights are being challenged or, in some instances, wholly dismissed by those who fail to respect what John Paul called the "gospel of work." There are, however, signs of hope as well. Localities thought the country have enacted Living-wage Ordinances to ensure that workers’ earnings permit them to support their families; many states have increased their own minimum wages beyond the $5.15/hour federal level, which had remained stagnant for eight years despite the ever increasing cost of living; and at the recent G8 Summit in Scotland, world leaders showed their concern for impoverished countries by pledging additional assistance and debt relief. These developments show the fruit that discussions about just wages and a fairer allocation of

world resources can yield.

Yet, workers across the world and even in our own diocese including immigrant and day-laborers continue to face daunting challenges that merit our concern and our commitment. The Peace and Justice Commission of the Diocese of Arlington and the Virginia Catholic Conference offer their support to parishes as they promote justice in the workplace.

In "Laborem exercens," John Paul II writes of a "spirituality of work" reminding us that "man, created in the image of God, shares by his work in the activity of the Creator … " Work not only allows us to provide for our selves and our families, but also contributes to the building of society and to the kingdom of the Father.

Let us prepare to celebrate the 25th anniversary of John Paul II’s foundational encyclical in 2006, by recommitting ourselves this year to the "gospel of work" and the dignity of each worker toiling in the vineyard of God’s Kingdom.