The Roman Catholic Church had an ideal “oret et labore” during the Middle Ages, especially for monks but also to a lesser extent for all believers (especially those of the lower classes), an ideal that meant “pray and work.” On the other hand, the Roman Republic (and Roman Empire) put a great deal of importance on the concept of dignitas, a particularly prickly sort of honor and dignity that was especially fiercely defended by Roman aristocrats, and to a lesser extent by Romans in general (especially Roman men who were a pater familias or some other position of honor). In our day and age, the connection between work and dignity is not necessarily universally held, but it is a vital matter to understand for our own personal spiritual well-being as well as our purpose on this earth.

Yesterday here in Springfield I attended a Bible Study with the congregation of Euguene not too far away from where I am staying where the subject was God’s view of work. Before the fall of mankind, God had ordained work for mankind, work that was not burdensome but provided some sort of practice and discipline as well as some sort of meaning. We all tend to attach a great deal of meaning in our work, often finding a sense of identity and dignity in our labor, especially if that labor is honored by others, but even simply in the fact that we are capable of working hard and honorably, even if other people are not impressed.

There are all kinds of threats to the dignity of labor in today’s world. As is often the case, some of these threats come from the left and some come from the right. Among those with an entitlement mindset, there is often no desire to work. This is not to say that all (or even most) who are without work have no desire to work. However, there are certainly some people who seem to find no honor or dignity in labor simply for the sake of doing something rather than nothing, even as others tend to feel a bit overwhelmed by disappointment when they are not able to find steady work. While these threats to the dignity of labor on the left are well known and often lamented, the threats to labor on the side of the right are not often discussed. It is worthwhile to spend some time talking about them.

One of the threats in the modern world to the dignity of labor, and this is not a new one, is that labor is often viewed with disdain. Even though some tasks are necessary for society to function well, there are times when those jobs are looked down on as menial by many. Another threat to the dignity of labor is the question of loyalty. While companies generally expect and demand a high degree of loyalty from their employees where possible (unless restrictive work covenants prevent the enforcement of standards of loyalty and conduct), receiving that same loyalty in return can be a bit of a challenge sometimes.

In the absence of the certainty of respect and dignity from others, we have to find ways of defending our own sense of dignity from within. We have to behave in such a way that we conform as closely as possible to our own high standards of behavior, giving at least (if not more) an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay, and using such opportunities as we possess to serve our fellow man with sincerity and pleasure. Regardless of whether what we do is well-rewarded or well appreciated, we have to take responsibility for our own dignity, as this world does not tend to value it enough to give it to others very often. Such is the life, though, and we must make the best of it.