Faith at Work

09-08-2024Weekly ReflectionJen Arnold, M.A.

As Catholics, we are called to put our faith into practice in all aspects of our lives, including our professional endeavors. These days, there can be complexities in bringing your Christian values into the workplace, particularly if you work in a secular profession where you interact with people from a variety of belief systems. However, now more than ever, the world needs authentic Christian witnesses to be “salt and light” across all sectors. By integrating our faith into our professional lives, we can transform our work into a means of glorifying God, serving others, and growing in holiness. As St. Paul says, “Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others” (Col 3:23). By approaching our work with this perspective, we can genuinely make our professional lives a testament to our Catholic faith.

Before discussing how to model our faith, let's examine why it is essential to integrate it into our work. Our Catholic faith teaches us that work is not merely a means to earn a living, but a participation in God's creative act. In the Book of Genesis, we see that God worked for six days to create the world and then rested on the seventh. He also gave Adam the task of naming the animals and tending the Garden of Eden. This demonstrates that work has inherent dignity and is part of God’s plan for humanity. The Second Vatican Council’s pastoral constitution, Gaudium et Spes, further emphasizes this point: “Human activity, to be sure, takes its significance from its relationship to man. Just as it proceeds from man, so it is ordered toward man. For when a man works, he not only alters things and society, he develops himself as well” (#35). This understanding of work as a means of personal growth and contribution to society forms the basis for how we approach our professional lives as Catholics.

Further, as Catholics, we are called to witness Christ's love in all aspects of our lives. The workplace provides a unique platform to demonstrate Christian values through our actions, words, and attitudes. By living out our faith at work, we can be a light to others, potentially inspiring colleagues and clients to seek a deeper understanding of Catholicism. Our faith also provides us with a strong moral foundation that can inform and guide our decision-making and behavior in the workplace. Our faith helps us maintain integrity in challenging situations, resist unethical practices, and treat others with dignity and respect. Simply by operating from the foundation of our Christian values, we serve as a light in the world, whether or not we explicitly state we are Christian.

Now that we understand why it is important to incorporate our faith into our work, we can consider some practical ways to do it. First and foremost, we need a habit of daily prayer to keep us connected to God. Begin each workday by offering it to God and asking him to bless your work and guide your thoughts and your actions. This simple act of dedication can transform your perspective, helping you to see your tasks as opportunities to serve God and others. A short morning prayer can set the tone for the day, reminding you of your ultimate purpose. Then, find opportunities throughout the workday to return to prayer, if even only for brief moments. If you commute to work, your time in the car would be well spent by praying a rosary or listening to a homily. You can ask the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you head into a difficult meeting or when making big decisions. You can also ask Jesus what he would do in a particular situation. It can be helpful to set a couple of alarms throughout the day to take a few minutes to read scripture, pray a devotion, or use another way to spiritually re-center yourself. Finally, at the end of each workday, take a moment to thank God for the blessings he sent you that day through your work, even if it is a problematic co-worker who sanctifies you by challenging you to grow in virtue.

Another way to practice the Faith at work is to cultivate a spirit of service. Approach your work with a servant’s heart, reflecting Christ’s example of servant leadership. Actively look for opportunities to help colleagues, go the extra mile in your tasks, and contribute positively to your workplace environment. This attitude of service can be a powerful testament to your Faith.

Given the diversity of personalities in a work environment, it’s understandable that the workplace can often be a source of conflict and tension. As Catholics, we are called to be peacemakers and to practice forgiveness. When conflicts arise, approach them with a spirit of reconciliation, seeking to understand others' perspectives and find common ground. Additionally, Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. This translates to treating colleagues, clients, and even competitors with respect and compassion in the workplace. Listen actively, show empathy, and be willing to help others. This Christ-like attitude of forgiveness and charity can have a profound impact on your work environment.

Also, don’t be afraid to display subtle symbols of your faith in your work area. Having small, meaningful symbols of faith in your workspace can serve as a personal reminder of your beliefs and a quiet witness to others. Items like a crucifix, a prayer card, or a small statue of a saint can subtly express your faith without being overly intrusive. Even with remote work being so prevalent these days, there are many ways to display subtle symbols of your faith. Simply wearing a Miraculous Medal, Saint medal, or a crucifix; or showing up on Ash Wednesday wearing your ashes or having religious artwork in the background of your video calls, can go a long way towards demonstrating your faith to others. Remember that scripture tells us, “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope” (1 Peter 3:15), so be prepared to answer any curious colleagues if they ask you about the significance of any visible signs of your Catholic faith.

Finally, remember that your primary vocation is to love God and serve your family. Strive for a healthy work-life balance that allows you to fulfill your professional responsibilities while also prioritizing your spiritual life and family commitments. Incorporate your family into your work by doing simple things, like speaking well of them when talking with colleagues, inviting your spouse to a work dinner, or inviting your children to have lunch with you at your office. Finding opportunities to incorporate family into work is so rare these days, that doing so will be a bright witness to the importance of faith and family and the love and respect you have for your primary vocation.

This week, think about how you incorporate your faith into your work. If you do not currently work, you can still think about your interactions with the secular world in your day-to-day life. If you tend to be nervous about sharing your faith, can you find the courage in one of these areas to be a little bolder? If you already incorporate your faith into your work, can you do more to shine the light of Christ there? After all, there is no such thing as being too much of a Christian witness in these modern times.