POPE
FRANCIS ON THE DIGNITY OF LABOUR
Work is part of God’s loving plan, we are
called to cultivate and care for all the goods of creation and in this way
participate in the work of creation! Work is fundamental to the dignity of a
person. Work, to use an image, "anoints" us with dignity, fills us
with dignity, makes us similar to God, who has worked and still works, who
always acts (cf. Jn 5:17); it gives you the ability to maintain ourselves, our
family, to contribute to the growth of our nation. And here I think of the
difficulties which, in various countries, today afflict the world of work and
business; I think of how many, and not just young people, are unemployed, many
times due to a purely economic conception of society, which seeks selfish
profit, beyond the parameters of social justice.
Young people: be committed to your daily
duties, your study, your work, to relationships of friendship, to helping
towards others; your future also depends on how you live these precious years
of your life. Do not be afraid of commitment, of sacrifice, and do not look
with fear towards the future; keep your hope alive: there is always a light on
the horizon.
Those in public office: make every effort
to give new impetus to employment—this means caring for the dignity of the
person—but above all I would say do not lose hope; St. Joseph also experienced
moments of difficulty, but he never lost faith and was able to overcome them,
in the certainty that God never abandons us. ~ Wed. audience, May 1st, 2013