Chapter 6: Participating in God’s Creation Part I Work has a value beyond what it produces Work is a basic human right

1. Chapter 6: Participating in God’s Creation Part I • Work has a value beyond what it produces • Work is a basic human right • It is necessary for human life • Enables people to participate in the life of the community • The Catholic vision of work goes beyond this: • Work is an expression of the creativity we possess as images of God • Dignity of work and rights of workers comes from this • Not everyone holds this view • Work valued only for what it produces destroys dignity of the worker and his or her rights

2. Work is defined as: • Any sustained effort expended for a purpose; effort that makes a difference in the world • Work as “toil” is work viewed as a chore, difficult, challenging, and wearing • Christian justice views work differently: • Potential to be very good • “In the Catholic tradition, work is not a burden…not just how we make a living. Work is a way of supporting our family, realizing our dignity, promoting the common good, and participating in God’s creation.” • US Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letter Everyday Christianity 1999 • Work often termed: Livelihood

3. Livelihood: work that provides the basic necessities of life. • Maintain a home, buy food and clothing. • Work can provide these things directly: • Build shelter • Grow food • Make clothing • Work is the foundation of family life • Meet families survival needs • If it is not, work is not achieving its fundamental purpose • Work educates the children in the family • Parents demonstrate creative lives through work