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 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 Encyclicals Encyclicals are important and authoritative documents written by a pope and addressed to the entire people of God. Encyclicals are important and authoritative documents written by a pope and addressed to the entire people of God. Deals on moral and doctrinal matters. Deals on moral and doctrinal matters. Social encyclicals deal on social, economic, polititical and cultural matters. Social encyclicals deal on social, economic, polititical and cultural matters. The first encyclical was written by Pope Benedict XIV in It dealt on usury. The first encyclical was written by Pope Benedict XIV in It dealt on usury.

Papal 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 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 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 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 Exercens Document entirely devoted to the single theme of the dignity and value of the worker and his work Document entirely devoted to the single theme of the dignity and value of the worker and his work First time that a pope has done this First time that a pope has done this

Salient Points in Papal Teachings on Work Briefly articulating what the popes consider as the “spheres of value” inherent in work Briefly articulating what the popes consider as the “spheres of value” inherent in work These fundamental values attached to work also constitute the elements of what we call “the spirituality of labor” These fundamental values attached to work also constitute the elements of what we call “the spirituality of labor”

Work – Basic Dimension of Life Work “is a fundamental dimension of man’s existence on earth.” Work “is a fundamental dimension of man’s existence on earth.” As someone created in the image and likeness of God, “only man is capable of work, only man works.” As someone created in the image and likeness of God, “only man is capable of work, only man works.” John Paul II John 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 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 place that 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: