Today I give thanks for work

 Today I give thanks for work.

Today I give thanks for work.  Hard work, simple work, easy work, complex work – but meaningful work.  Work that us sweat physically or mentally, as well as work that may sometimes be mindless, boring, or repetitive.  Work that makes a difference in our lives and in the lives of others.

 

This morning, our church community celebrated the life of Ralph Kuitems, age 93, a man who spent his career in construction, mostly as a construction superintendent.  The photo presents the legacy of his work here in Rochester.  It would be hard to travel more than a few miles around the area without passing at least one of the buildings he helped construct.  Those of us who were lucky enough to get to know Ralph learned of the depth as well as the breadth of his work – and we quickly felt the satisfaction and pride he had for jobs well done. 

 

Today our community also learned of the death late last night of Father Jim Callan, a man who had a profound impact on thousands of people here in Rochester, around the country, and even abroad.  As I wrote not long ago, Fr. Jim was an illuminator, one who listened and made others feel seen – and then encouraged them.  The depth of his faith led him to envision a church that welcomed all people equally, a vision that inspired us all.  His belief in the words and life of Jesus, and especially Matthew 25, provide us now with a pathway toward this vision.

 

Both these men exemplify lives well lived and work well done.  They reminded me of Marge Percy’s poem, “To Be of Use.”  This is the final stanza:

 

The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.