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by Rev. Fr. V.V. Paulose, Toronto, Canada
"Make these people work harder and keep them busy; then they will not have time to listen to the lies (Leave from Egypt and make sacrifice to the Lord) of Moses." (Exodus 5:9)
Does your Job keep you busy leaving no time for God?
Job is not the end in itself. Human beings are here for a stopover towards the journey of eternity and heaven. "What do you do?" This is the first question we ask a new acquaintance. We define people by the work they perform. As a culture, we seem to be for job and the job ethics keep us super busy with all of the labor saving devices at our disposal. Instead of using technology to free up our time, we use I-pad computers and internet access to keep us wired for work just as the Israelites under the Egyptian Pharaohs. Meanwhile, the time we have to reflect, to enjoy our families and friends, and to participate in community- building activities is slowly disappearing.
Studies show that over-work leads to increased stress and addictive behaviors, such as alcoholism. The cost to our soul has not been calculated. This state of affairs will never change as long as we believe that we must work more hours to earn more money to increase our assets. But real wealth is not our house, bank balance, stocks or gold. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, wealth is simply "the condition of being happy and prosperous."
The industrialist was horrified to find a fisherman lying beside his boat, smoking a pipe.
"Why aren't you out fishing?" asked the industrialist.
"Because I have caught enough fish for the day."
"Why don't you catch some more?"
"What would I do with that?"
"Earn more money. Then you could have a motor fixed to your boat and go into deeper waters and catch more fish. That would bring you money to buy nylon nets, so more fish, more money. Soon you would have enough to buy two boats…even a fleet of boats. Then you could be rich like me." (American dream)
"What do I do then?"
"Then you could enjoy life."
"What do you think I'm doing now?"
Which would you rather have; a fortune or a capacity for enjoyment?" You are lazy! You don't want to work! That is why you ask to leave here and make sacrifice to the lord." (Exodus 5:17)
Jesus, we pray for all those who are forced to work under threat and uncongenial atmosphere. Let your children have jobs with good wages to also have the leisure to pursue spirituality. Remove all bad taskmasters from their jobs. All we ask in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
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