Labor Day Oriented Homily

In honor of Labor Day the following scripture was selected:

Scripture Reading:    Psalm 127

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. 

Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.  

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to [those he loves.   Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.   Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth.   Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame 

when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Our Response Reading is: Work

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, we did not eat anyone's bread without paying;

But with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you.

It was not because we have not that right, but to give you in our conduct an example to imitate.

For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If anyone will not work, let him not eat.

For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.

Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work in quietness and to earn their own living.

Brethren, do not be weary in well-doing.

2 Thess. 3:6-13