At the end of the lesson, the student will be able to:
explain the ethical value of work as exemplified by Mo. Ignacia
discover joyful experiences in the fulfillment of one’s work
design an action plan in accomplishing one’s work
M. Ignacia dedicated her works to please God and did all out of love for Jesus. Thus, her zeal and enthusiasm never waned. She always thought of the good of the community and the people she served. (1726 Rules I.7-9, 17, 23, 25,33,37,40; II.12,17,19,21-22)
Work helps to rich personal growth, creativity, planning for the future, developing our talents, living out our values, relating to others, giving glory to God. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. (CFC 1212).We were created with a vocation to work. Work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth, a path to growth, human development and personal fulfillment. (Pope Francis, On Care for Our Common Home LAUDATO SI’).
Service: Stewardship
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 New International Version (NIV)
Work has value because of two basic reasons: the person and the fruit of his/her labor.
1. Subjective dimension – This refers to the human person as the primary basis of the value of work (PCP II, 316). Work is “for humans” and not humans “for work.”
2. Productive dimension – This refers to the product of our work. Humans work in order to renew the face of the earth. This means that one’s work is his/her contribution to social transformation.
Mother Ignacia knows this ethical value of work; that’s why in their 1726 Rules and Constitutions, she instructed that: “The Rectora shall see to it that the work assigned to the sisters shall not be excessive and beyond their capacity.” (III.#15)
Furthermore, in #46, she tells the beatas that “all should endeavor to find means to keep themselves busy, because idleness and laziness is the root of evil thoughts which open the door to the devil so that he could corrupt souls.”
Every work is significant, no matter how little or great, how hard or easy be it blue or white collar job. Every work contributes to the common good. Every work done in LOVE is SERVICE. One’s Work is a contribution to social transformation.
Work is an expression of human dignity and should not be used to degrade a human being. M. Ignacia enjoined her companions to dedicate all their work to God. “All their works should be offered to God our Lord, avoiding vanity and boasting, because Jesus tells us in His holy gospel, that any person, who would work for human respect without seeking the divine honor, will not have the reward of his works in the other life” (I.37). M. Ignacia looked at the deeper meaning of work. Her spirituality of work was rooted in trust and confidence “in God, rich in mercy with those who trust in his generous providence and mercy”(I.22).
M. Ignacia saw the value of work as a means of praising God, an opportunity to express one’s creativity, a gift that comes from God Himself. Work is an experience of sharing God’s creative activity. One who is conscious of this gives glory to God by his/her work. She realized also that work enabled her to establish relationships with others. Her skill in needle work must have encouraged some women to bring their daughters to her to learn the same skill and ability. She also saw this as an opportunity not only to share her skills but also guide and form young girls in Chirstian virtues.Work means earning a livelihood and also an occasion for educating children in the Christian faith.
M. Ignacia saw God in work and prayer. God’s presence was felt both in her moments of prayer as well as in her arduous task of earning a living. God was there present in her very struggle to live a meaningful life.
Additional Reading Materials:
1181. In recent times great emphasis has been given to work. “Work is one of the characteristics that distinguish man from the rest of creatures...work is the mark of a person operating within a community of persons” (LE Intro; cf CCC 2427). Regarding social justice, “Human work is a key - key probably the essential key - to the whole social question.” From the Bible’s mission to subdue the earth (Gn 1:28) emerges work in the objective sense: man dominating the earth by more and more highly perfected machinery. But this dominion introduces work in the subjective sense, the person who is the subject of work. Here Christ effected a radical change by instituting through word and example the “Gospel of work” which shows that “the primary basis for the value of work is man himself, who is its subject”.
1209. What is the Church’s teaching on work? Work as one distinguishing characteristic of human beings, is an essential key to the social question, especially when seen in terms of the person who is the subject/agent of work and the primary basis for its value.
1185. Obligations. But work is not only a human right, it is “an obligation, a duty on the part of man” (LE 16). We have a moral obligation to work:
to maintain and develop our humanity, according to the Creator’s plan,
as a source of the aid and support of our families, our country and the whole human family.
PCPII affirms that workers must “discharge their responsibilities properly” (PCP II 320).
https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/sunstar-cagayan-de-oro/20140928/281663958234405
Co, M. A. (1998) Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo: A Lamp to Our Path. Quezon City: RVM Publications.