We only ask you, brothers, to grow more and more in this › 1 Sol 4, 10.

The labourer building the cathedral keeps laying stone on stone or filling wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow until it becomes a monotonous routine. If he does not step back a little and observe how the building slowly takes shape, he may miss the significance of his work. Similarly, it is easy to forget how God cares about each of our little deeds. Each of us plays a vital role in God’s grand and intricate plan for His creation. This is what St. Paul wants to say in today’s first reading, when he urges the Thessalonians to grow more and more„“ (1 Sol 4, 10). As if to say: „ Look at it as a whole to see what you have already done and what still needs to be done and be inspired to do more.“ Then he offers them some practical suggestions – including an order to work with their own hands. What impact can the work of our hands have on building God’s kingdom? Aren’t we building it with prayer and spiritual sacrifices?

Already, partly yes. However, through our work, we join God in building a just and peaceful society on earth. As taught by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, „by work one participates in the work of creation“ (2460). Even in the most inferior work, great dignity is hidden: through it, we become the Lord’s co-creators. Who would have thought that work has such downright cosmic dimensions? Sometimes we are not very enthusiastic about our work; it feels like a burden. So, we must remember that Jesus is with us. He takes ordinary bread and makes it his body. He brings wine – „fruit of vines and the work of human hands“ – and transforms it into his saving blood. So he can definitely take our work and transform it! In his hands, a pile of laundry can become a confession of love to our family. In his hands, our work can become a path on which we can improve our talents and cultivate the heart of a servant. Making progress in faith does not necessarily mean adding spiritual actions. Often, this means doing only what we already do – small, ordinary things – with the love of Christ in our hearts.