Have you ever been corrected by somebody, say your spouse, your teacher, or your boss at work? How did you feel? A little resentful, upset, angry? Most of us do not like to be corrected and we show our unhappiness in different ways: the cold shoulder or the stinging remark! That makes correcting a difficult job, doesn’t it? This was always so. Old Testament prophets who had to correct their people hated the task but they had to perform it. Jesus reluctantly corrected the scribes and Pharisees of his own day but he did it. Our priests, our Bishops, the Popes and parents experience the same kind of resentment to their words but they, too, are entrusted with the responsibility of correcting behavior in order to draw people to the Gospel. Today, let us look at correction from the standpoint of the Scriptures. It is a refreshing message for us all. Jesus tells us to correct our brother or sister when they commit some wrong but to “keep it between the two of you.”

We celebrate Labor Day today. It is an idea which came to us from Europe where people were divided into two distinct classes- -the owners and the workers. Labor Day was set aside to honor the humble people of the land. In time, the U.S. made its celebration include organized labor, unions and all of that, which shows that our celebration has grown beyond the original concept. Those who champion the cause of the working people are very much like Jesus: they are watchmen for their people. Labor Day is a wonderful day for it serves to remind us that, no matter how successful you are, you should not Lord it over the least of your brethren.

Are we listening to Jesus this Labor Day? Are we sensitive to the desperate struggle of the unemployed in our society, the plight of poor farmers and the citizens of the third world? Are we attentive to the real needs of our community? Are we prepared to give as to receive? Are prepared to support local outreach programs so that the burden of providing services to the needy doesn’t fall on just a few?

A good Christian will accept correction and take corrective measures to improve behavior. So, do not be afraid of correction. No one is perfect. Correction is necessary in order to improve. We are not perfect, but we must try to become perfect (through correction among other things) as our Heavenly Father is perfect. Labor Day reminds us that we are, indeed, our brother’s keeper, and that we need to correct our ways.

Happy Labor Day!

Enjoy!

Fr. Hugh Duffy.