Happy Labour Day!

Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.



Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Be present with your people where they work; make those who carry on the industries
and commerce of this land responsive to your will; and give to us all a pride in what we do, and a just return for our labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.



Almighty God our heavenly Father, you declare your glory and show forth your handiwork in the heavens and in the earth: Deliver us in our various occupations from the service of self alone, that we may do the work you give us to do in truth and beauty and for the common good; for the sake of him who came among us as one who serves, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.




In the early 1980's, the only job I could find as a Purchasing Agent was with a Defense Contractor, the notorious United Technologies Corporation, Chemical Systems Division. We made rocket engines. I used to buy all the electronics for the IUS, or Inertial Upper-stage, a rocket which propelled satellites into orbit after they left the cargo hold of the Space Shuttle. I didn't fit in very well, but I struggled on. My dear friend Matty Boy, who was working as a game designer for Activision, loved to call me every May 1 and say "Happy International Worker's Day, Comrade! Here's hoping your office is heavily festooned with flowers!!" and then he'd hang-up. Now I live in Panamá, where 1 de Mayo actually IS Labour Day.



The Lovely Mona has requested that I be very clear that SHE IS NOT A COMMUNIST, unlike her commie-bastid husband. She is also winging her way to Boston today to spend some time with our new granddaughter, Anne Evannie, and her parents Anne and Evans.
Chompita and I will be holding down the fort here in Parque Lefevre. Today I'm spending the day in Gamboa with the clergy and vestries of Parroquia San Cristóbal, Iglesia San Mateo, Iglesia San Marcos, y Iglesia San Francisco de Asís. We are holding a Vestry Academy. Should be fun.

May God bless all the workers around the world, those employed and those un-employed and those under employed. Here in Panamá, way too many workers are unemployed. May their situation change for the better. And remember, everyone, the Workers hold the means of production!

Here's hoping your office is heavily festooned with flowers!