By Fr. Glenn Jones:
Ah, Thanksgiving is just around the corner—a time of family, feasting and a bit of innocent fun with all we are close to. As we take a little break from the daily grind during the holiday, it is good to—like Jesus did in the Gospel—separate ourselves from the crowd if for even just a little while to reflect on all the good in our lives. Yes, we all have our own problems and worries, of course, but if we continually wallow in the mire of our difficulties, we just slowly keep sinking. Our task is to find the positives to help us rise above, whether that be in friends, family or even the kindness of a stranger.
Speaking of blessings, there was an interesting video on social media the other day about a Harvard study concerning the effects of chores and early childhood development. The study (or the video, at least) found that kids who from an early age have chores to perform around the home/farm/ranch are happier, more successful and have greater self-esteem as they move into adulthood.
For we who are older, such a conclusion is not unsurprising. Back in the day when modern conveniences were fewer, chores were more common, teaching responsibility, task completion satisfaction, and the understanding of the contribution that one can make toward the whole. After all, who has not witnessed children’s pride in be able to accomplish greater tasks as they mature—the “See what I can do!” development.
Those who have lived in both city and country can witness to the veracity of the study’s conclusion. Rural ranch/farm kids are willing—often eager—to chip in when there’s necessary work to be done. The urban kids … well, not as much. Part of this is simply that the need in cities is less—no livestock to feed, no crops to plant and harvest, etc. And one virtually never sees sights common in the 1900s—entrepreneurial kids walking the block to mow grass, shovel snow, weed gardens, paint garages or do any of the little things that needed to be done around homes.
“Kids should be allowed to be kids!” is a refrain not infrequently heard, presumably meaning that children should only play and go to school. But is not childhood the time to train youth for later life? A work ethic does not spring from nothingness. And there’s a world of difference between learning and doing when it comes to productive work. Unfortunately, rare are vocational classes in middle or high school anymore that gave hands-on experience with tools, vehicles, cooking, etc.
One can read about car maintenance, cooking, driving or another everyday task all he wants, but unless he turns a wrench, gets behind the wheel a bit, etc., he’s never going to be good at it. Many youth I’ve seen can’t even change a flat tire (a vital skill in the open spaces here in New Mexico!). Imagine a budding driver just reading a book on driving and deciding he can manage a fast-moving crowded freeway: “I got this.” Good luck with that; even after almost 50 years of driving, driving I-40 still can strike momentary terror—the veritable forest of 18-wheelers, mad-dashers, five-lane crossers, etc.
Likewise, if kids don’t learn to work minor household chores in youth, when will they learn a work ethic, responsibility, and attendant problem-solving? Is this why the percentage of adults living with parents even into their 30s continues to rise—unsure of themselves and lacking in self-confidence, perhaps defaulting to their “safe space” where they are essentially cared for and have few expectations laid upon them … like when they were children?
Why is a priest writing about this? Because the satisfaction of early development, responsibility and job satisfaction help to instill a servant’s heart, which leads not only to the ability to help others, but the joy in doing so. Everyone wants youth to grow into happy, self-confident and productive adulthood, and by working be able to be charitable and gracious to those in real need.
This weekend (Nov. 24) Catholic Christians celebrate the feast day of Christ the King, in which we await with anxious joyful anticipation the promised second coming of Jesus. When we think of kings, we imagine figures of immense wealth, military might, and political control. But Jesus’ coming kingdom is not one that thrives on these earthly powers, but rather to be rooted in truth, love, and service. After all, did He not affirm, referring to Himself: “… the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28). Since this is so, what is more “kingly” than service to others? As instructed His apostles (and therefore us as well) who were arguing among themselves who was the greatest: “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:25)
As we reflect this Thanksgiving, let us think of service rather than how to be served. Simply going to a nursing home to visit those who are never visited, contributing to the truly hungry both here and abroad, funding medical care for impoverished areas around the world—there is no limit. But all begins with work … productivity. Charity reflects God’s own love for Mankind. Thus, if we can reflect the love of Christ, perhaps we can draw others to Christ Himself and to the joy that we Christians have in our faith and in our Christian hope.
May you and all of yours be doubly blessed this Thanksgiving.
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“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.
