Dear Saints,

Labor Day is this coming Monday, and while it’s most often associated with the end of summer, the holiday is actually much more meaningful than that. It was first recognized in the 1880s as a way to celebrate the many contributions of American workers to the nation’s strength, prosperity, and wellbeing. According to the Department of Labor, the initial proposal suggested a parade, followed by a day of recreation.

Which begs the question: what is “recreation?” Would a day of meaningless diversion suffice as a good Labor Day celebration? Not exactly.

Most people know from experience that exhaustion is no way to exist. We are simply not fully alive when our bodies, hearts, minds, or spirits are depleted. Recreation, then, is about making us new.

Wholesome play, time in nature, a good book, family gatherings - these are the restorative activities that nourish us back to wholeness after our physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual energy has been drained. This Labor Day, let’s take some time to be re-created with God’s own rest and playfulness. That way, whatever we face the next day, we can begin again with all the zest and zeal of God himself.

Christ’s Peace,

Father Daniel

δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ