Turning Work into Prayer
08/29/17 • 25 min
“Each and every event of this life, without exception, must be steps which take you to God, which move you to know him and love him, to give him thanks, and to strive to make everyone else know and love him” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Forge, no. 680). In this meditation from Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, we are invited to reflect upon work as a medium for prayer, using the hidden life of Jesus as an example. Before beginning his public ministry, Jesus spent many years working as a carpenter. Though nothing is written about these years, St. Josemaria considered this silence to be an inspiration of the Holy Spirit, exemplifying the ordinariness which characterized Jesus’s life until he began his public ministry. Thus, when we echo the Apostles’ request “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1) we can hear Jesus’s response through his lived example. Work is a place where we are meant to encounter God daily. The idea of “sanctification of work” is simple, but the process is not easy. Fr. Peter explains that a personal life of prayer outside of work is the driving force behind our ability to sanctify our work, since sanctification of work is not about perfecting a routine as much as it is about giving a gift of love. As such, conversation with the Lord in mental prayer, frequenting the Sacraments, and making regular aspirations and acts of love are foundational to being able to sanctify our work, as they increase our love. Likewise, laxity in our spiritual norms can detract from our ability to sanctify our work, as there is less love given in that work. Ultimately, the one who prays more is the one who loves more.
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“Each and every event of this life, without exception, must be steps which take you to God, which move you to know him and love him, to give him thanks, and to strive to make everyone else know and love him” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Forge, no. 680). In this meditation from Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, we are invited to reflect upon work as a medium for prayer, using the hidden life of Jesus as an example. Before beginning his public ministry, Jesus spent many years working as a carpenter. Though nothing is written about these years, St. Josemaria considered this silence to be an inspiration of the Holy Spirit, exemplifying the ordinariness which characterized Jesus’s life until he began his public ministry. Thus, when we echo the Apostles’ request “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1) we can hear Jesus’s response through his lived example. Work is a place where we are meant to encounter God daily. The idea of “sanctification of work” is simple, but the process is not easy. Fr. Peter explains that a personal life of prayer outside of work is the driving force behind our ability to sanctify our work, since sanctification of work is not about perfecting a routine as much as it is about giving a gift of love. As such, conversation with the Lord in mental prayer, frequenting the Sacraments, and making regular aspirations and acts of love are foundational to being able to sanctify our work, as they increase our love. Likewise, laxity in our spiritual norms can detract from our ability to sanctify our work, as there is less love given in that work. Ultimately, the one who prays more is the one who loves more.
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Previous Episode
Mary, Our Hope
In this meditation, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, invites us to reflect upon Mary, especially in light of her Assumption, as God’s great gift to us and as our great hope. ‘Mary has been taken up to heaven by God in body and soul, and the angels rejoice.’ Joy overtakes both angels and men. Why is it that we feel today this intimate delight, with our heart brimming over, with our soul full of peace? Because we are celebrating the glorification of our mother, and it is only natural that we her children rejoice in a special way upon seeing how the most Blessed Trinity honors her” (St. Josemaria Escriva, Christ is Passing By, no. 171). As Fr. Peter explains, the Feast of the Assumption is in one sense a celebration of ourselves. God has brought Mary into heaven and her glorification emphasizes her relationship with the Blessed Trinity. But as she occupies a place of honor and gazes at God face to face, she intercedes for us and serves us as our mother. In the Assumption, we receive an invitation to optimism, as Mary’s intercession from heaven is our own victory. Fr. Peter encourages us that we must become more “Marian”; relying on Mary as our hope, especially in our works of apostolate and evangelization. In facing the formidable obstacles of today’s culture, we can follow the example of the great saints and evangelists, such as St. Josemaria Escriva, Blessed Alvaro Portillo, and St. John Paul II, in loving Mary and relying on her for all the help that we need.
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Next Episode
The New Commandment
Today in the podcast... Fr Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, reflects on the New Commandment from Jesus Christ which he issued to the Apostles before the Last Supper.This commandment is particularly difficult to follow since we are asked to love one another as Jesus loves us, which is a very tall order. How can we match Jesus’ love for us!
However, Fr. Peter Armenio makes a point to note that when God issues a commandment, it is because we can live it. Do not write yourself off!
“No matter how much you may love, you will never love enough. The human heart is endowed with an enormous coefficient of expansion. When it loves, it opens out in a crescendo of affection that overcomes all barriers. If you love Our Lord, there will not be a single creature that does not find a place in your heart” (St Josemaria Escriva, The Way of the Cross; Eight Station, Number 5).
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