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Workers
should labor for God and not for man.
This
was the exhortation given by Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim to workers
in his weekly address to the people of Tagbilaran.
The
mayor made the exhortation as he noted how laborers paid tribute
to St. Joseph , the patron saint of workers, who is also the
patron saint of Tagbilaran.
"Workers
differ in the way they celebrate the feat of St. Joseph ,"
Lim pointed out.
He
said that some offer prayers of gratitude to God for the gifts
and talents entrusted for them through which they have made
a living.
Most
workers however shout angry words because of the outrage over
the worsening living conditions and because of the low wages
that they are receiving.
Their
anger is not only against their employers but even the government
which they blame for not doing enough to protect them from
unfair working conditions.
The
mayor acknowledged that the workers' have legitimate demands
but conceded that such inequalities exist in an imperfect
world.
"While
the rich grow richer, the poor sink deeper into the well of
suffering, despair, depravity and hunger," the mayor
noted.
He
said that even as the ranks of the poor grow by the day, the
rich and the powerful continue to turn deaf to their miseries.
Lim
however pointed out that man's greed and opportunism is not
a monopoly of the present age. Down through history, he said
people always take advantage of those below them while disregarding
equality and concern for others.
The
mayor stressed that in spite of this, people have a responsibility
to make the right attitude as far as their work is concerned.
He
noted that few people adopt a right attitude in their work
and those that they serve.
"When
they are out of hearing range, they speak of contempt, disdain,
mockery, anger and even hatred against those they work for,"
he noted.
Lim
said only a few possess the correct attitude towards those
they work for and serve.
The
mayor said St. Paul told the Colossians that whatever they
do, to do it as if working for the Lord and not for men.
Lim
said it surely would make a lot of difference if people approach
their work with the objective of pleasing God because the
quality of work would surely be higher.
"This
should be a cause for reflection particularly those who work
in the government in whatever level. It is easy for them to
believe that they serve those who appoint them into office,
those who signed their appointment papers," he added.
The
mayor added that while there are people to whom they owe gratitude
especially those who are not qualified, it is wrong to stop
there.
"As
Christians, we should remember at all times that it is Jesus
Christ whom we serve," he added.
Lim
said that while he is happy that workers take time out for
a day to honor St. Joseph , it would not mean much if they
do not value the dignity of labor and fail to love their work.
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