Comments on: On Physical Labor https://catalog.obitel-minsk.com/blog/2019/12/on-physical-labor Tue, 17 Dec 2019 21:17:41 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 By: Fr. John Koen https://catalog.obitel-minsk.com/blog/2019/12/on-physical-labor#comment-860 Tue, 17 Dec 2019 21:17:41 +0000 https://catalog.obitel-minsk.com/blog/?p=27429#comment-860 “Opere et Orate.” Work and pray. These have been watchwords in monasticism and true mysticism for centuries. Physical work gives balance, perspective and humility to the striving and activities of spiritual life. Such are vitally important. The British have a good saying regarding the Journey through life, especially when good things happen, most especially if praise is received. That saying is; “Keep your Wellies on!” Wellies is short for Wellington Boots, which are rubber boots, meant for muddy fields and barnyards……..very practical, but not at all glamorous. In other words, stay humble, remember your roots. My better half, if she gets praise for her works or ministries, will go and clean the toilet, or something similar. If it happens to me, my first words are: “Well, Glory be to God!” Because nothing good happens because of me. Then, when I can, it’s time to do dishes, or vacuum the house, or clean up after the dogs. It’s good to remember how much I’ve made mistakes, missed the mark, fallen short of God’s Glory. Work and pray.

Attitude is critical. When an airplane pilot is flying an airliner, and Ground Control asks him/her: “Pilot, what is your attitude?”, they do not mean: “Are you feeling okay, having a”bad hair” day?, etc. They actually mean: ” What is your actual relationship and position between Heaven and Eartb?” Which is obviously critically important for safe flight. For us as Christians, it’s also a critical question. Because our attitude (spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically, very definitely determines our relationship and position between Earth and Heaven. And coming back to the subject of work, well, good, meaningful, honest work helps us immensely in developing and maintaining a proper attitude, and therefore a proper relationship with both Earth and Heaven.

Abundant Blessings to all! And Merry Christmas, Blessed Nativity and Happy New Year, on all calendars!

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