walking off the job
“I plead with you, then, as a prisoner for the Lord, to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” —Ephesians 4:1
Are you on a job that’s not just a waste of time but even immoral? You may not be a a human-trafficker or a member of a crime syndicate, but does what you produce, package, or sell distract or turn people from Christ? Life is too short to waste it working for perishable food (see Jn 6:27). Eternity is too long to live for self rather than for Christ. Jesus did not die on the cross for you to spend your time doing something other than His will. He has a precious plan for your life and work. Don’t accept anything less than God’s best. Look at what the Lord did with St. Matthew’s life. He called him to compose a Gospel of the New Testament.
All this does not apply to people who merely don’t like their jobs, but only to those whose work is immoral, in that it doesn’t serve God’s interests. Most people are called to stay on their jobs, even if they don’t like them. Yet there are plenty of people, like Matthew, who need to walk away from their jobs.
Ask yourself: Is Jesus entering my place of employment, looking me right in the eyes, and saying to me what He said to Matthew: “Follow Me”? (Mt 9:9) If so, may you do the same thing Matthew did: Get up and follow Jesus.
Prayer: Jesus, I accept You as Lord of my life and my job.
Promise: “People who are in good health do not need a doctor; sick people do.” —Mt 9:12
Praise: St. Matthew once thought only of his own profit. Then he met Jesus, the ultimate Prophet, and thought only of working for King Jesus.
Reference: (Be a Matthew. To help you start reading the Gospel of Matthew order, listen to, or download Bible Commentary on Matthew on CD 21-1 or DVD 21 on our website.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from August 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 12, 2021"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.