For Labor Day I thought I’d venture away from the red-white-and-blue theme and spotlight the gift of work. The painting L’Angelus (The Angelus) by French painter Jean-François Mille has always been one of my favorites. I’m sure you’ve seen it as well. The painting shows two 19th century peasants praying in a field over a basket of potatoes after they have stopped their day’s work. The end of their day was signaled by the ringing of the Angelus bells from the church in the horizon. Each day the evening Angelus marked the end of their day’s work.
For most of us, church bells no longer measure our work day. But, the need to begin and end our day with prayer is still important. On this Labor Day weekend, let’s take time from the holiday’s activities and turn our grateful hearts to God and thank Him for the gift of work.
Source: Archdiocese of Detroit