Labor Day 2026

Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Matthew 6:19-24

Today in the United States, we celebrate Labor Day. It has come to mean the last weekend of summer, and sales galore. Its origins are much more radical. In the late 1880s workers were poorly treated and there were no child labor laws or protections for workers. On September 5, 1882, the Central Labor Union in New York organized the first Labor Day parade to honor workers and call for reform. It took until June 1894 for President Grover Cleveland to sign into law that the first Monday of September would be set aside each year to celebrate American workers. Over the years, we have lost the thrust that at its beginnings, Labor Day was about reform and awareness. Now we have cookouts and sales. We are reminded today, not to store up treasures on earth. Instead, we are called to share what we have, so all people may be honored for their labor.

Gracious Creator, you see rich and poor alike

as your beloved children who work here on earth

and share the resources you have given us all.

Too many hoard their wealth and build walls

while others ache for water and a piece of bread 

while you call us not to store up treasures on earth.

Help us to use what we have for the care of all

let us be thankful for those who labor feeds us

and may we listen to your words and love others. Amen