Faithful Careers Integrating the Catholic Faith & Your Career Pete Smudde, Ph.D., Obl.OSB, Knight of Columbus (4°)
1 Timothy 6:11-13 But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Agenda What work is to Catholics Why work is important in the faith Who we are as workers in the faith How we may live faithful careers Where we may go for help When to take the next steps
Genesis 2:15 The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it. Sirach 7:15 Do not hate hard work; work was assigned by God.
What is work? Bible Catechism Papal Encyclicals Vatican Documents
2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 Do not let anyone have any food if he refuses to do any work. Now we hear that there are some of you who are living in idleness, doing no work themselves but interfering with everyone else’s. In the Lord Jesus Christ, we order and call on people of this kind to go on quietly working and earning the food that they eat. My brothers, never grow tired of doing what is right.
Why is work important? Number of times in Bible [labor; work] Society—clash of secular and sacred Spirituality in the workplace [research]
1 Peter 4:8-11 Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Who are we as workers? We are Catholic We work in God’s vineyard as… Leaders Followers
1 Corinthians 12:4-7,11 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.… But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.
How may we have faithful careers? God-given talents Principles 10 Commandments + Jesus’ commandement Beattitudes Gospels
Ephesians 4:1-6 Brothers and sisters: I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Where may we find help? Catholic Church Magisterium Deposit of the Faith Holy Scripture Sacred tradition
Dogma
Catholic clergy & religious Publications (print & digital) Scholars Catholic business leaders
Each other!
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 Brothers and sisters: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.
When do we take the next steps? Ora et labora et lege Evangelize through our lives Helpful guides for you: Articles collection Vocation of the Business Leader
Romans 12:1-2 I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.
Faithful Careers Integrating the Catholic Faith & Your Career Pete Smudde, Ph.D., Obl.OSB, Knight of Columbus (4°)
[email protected] (309) 825-7869
