On September 7^th, millions of Americans will celebrate Labor Day, the federal holiday that gifts America’s workers, a well-earned three-day weekend of rest and relaxation.  Picnics, parades and backyard BBQ’s mark not only the unofficial end of summer, but the observance of a national holiday that began in 1894.  What became the very first Labor Day celebration on September 5^th, 1882 in New York City, with about 10,000 citizens, marching down for labor rights down the street of Manhattan. The average American worker then, worked 12 hours a day, 6 days a week.  It wasn’t until the Adamson Act,  passed on September 3, 1916, that our, what some are used to, modern 8 hour day was established. Labor Day differs from every other Holiday from other Holidays of the year.

Ever since Matthew Maguire, a secretary for the Local 344 of the Machinists Union and Peter McGuire, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor first proposed the Holiday for all workers more than 100 years ago, in New York City, street parades, festivals and family gatherings have sprung up across the United States. Labor Day is simply a celebration devoted to the achievements of the American worker.

This day, a part of the weekend festivities, is to ‘honor the American workers that have made to the strength, prosperity, and wellbeing of our way of life’!   Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans today, as a symbol of the end of summer.  Public schools are underway, public pools close (in many Northern states), and let’s not forget…..’mattress, furniture, and car sales’ flood the market!  In many areas, the Holiday weekend is filled with newspapers and internet about political candidates.  It’s also a chance to get away for a short vacation.

On a much happier note, Labor Day weekend is typically filled with picnics, BBQ’s, fireworks, arts and crafts festivals….”AND My Personal Favorite….the start of the NFL and College football season….and then the World Series”…..my friends, it doesn’t get any better than that!

To those still working, it may be hard  to fully understand, the pressure and pain, and stress that come from being unemployed, the sleepless nights, financial strain, the damage to relationships and marriages, even for those grounded in faith.  However, many who are employed, more than 1/3 are in jobs they don’t enjoy or even like! These workers must get up every day and do a job that they don’t like, just to support themselves and their families. Still, others live in fear that their positions will be phased out because of budget cutbacks.  These are tough times for many families and economics play a huge roll in many people’s lives.

The roots of Labor Day are deeply entwined with justice, dignity, and the fair treatment of workers.  Emerging from the hard-fought battles of the labor movement in the late 19^th century, it was to honor workers in a secular way for their achievements, but there are also scriptural texts as well.

In the Old Testament, it is well stocked with commandments advocating for fair labor practices.  Verses in Deuteronomy and Leviticus are commandments advocating for fair labor practices.  Prophets, such as Jeremiah and Isaiah spoke against those who exploit the worker.

In the New Testament, Jesus used parables such as ‘Workers in the Vineyard,’ were centered around the inherent dignity regardless of the hours spent there.

For these reasons, many churches and synagogues use the Sunday before Labor Day to preach on economic justice, worker’s rights and ethics between employers and employees. It is a day to pray for both employer and employee to recommit to the call of fairness in every field, factory, office and home. It reminds us that the pursuit of fairness and dignity in labor is not be a political issue but a secular and a spiritual one!

It is by His Grace we are saved…by His Word we should live…and by His Wii we serve others…