9-5-21 Sermon Notes “Labor Day”

Labor Day is a holiday to celebrate “workers.” Is that really a big deal? We might think of Labor Day as just a long weekend, or as the official end of the summer season (“Don’t wear white after Labor Day, Honey!”), but we all need to remember the fact that “labor” and “laborers” have not always been celebrated. Nobody celebrated slave labor, which was a big part of our country’s early history, and which robbed the lives and dignity of so many families of African ancestry. Nobody celebrated child labor during the Industrial Revolution in the US. We sometimes forget that in many states, children as young as 5 or 6 labored in mills, factories and mines across our country.

Labor Day came only after a long and bloody Civil War…only after violent riots by workers, and the organizing efforts of many American laborers. So, I guess I’m saying that Labor Day IS a big deal! On the other hand…should we be talking about Labor Day in church? I say, “Yes!” This Sunday, we will look at the story of Jesus healing a man who was born blind.
As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, 7 saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. (John 9: 1-7 NRSV)
I will give you three reasons this Sunday why Labor Day should be a big deal for Christians. We will also be celebrating Holy Communion.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Sam