Today is Labour Day (September 1, 2025) and as I sat down to read the news this morning I was reminded of the Sermon pastor John preached yesterday where he highlighted the phrase ‘Ora et Labora’ – ‘Pray and Work’. He was preaching on the book of Nehemiah and the effort in the rebuilding of the city Jerusalem and its Temple. The Jews after having been captured (B.C. 587) into bondage under Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon received their permission grant from Cyrus the Great, King of Persia (Persia had defeated Babylon in BC 539) to return to the land of Palestine (B.C.538) if they so wished. On top of that he also returned to them all the vessels and other objects Nebuchadnezzar had taken away. Anyway the sermon was about everyone from the important to the common, working together as a dedicated crew rebuilding the city. Nehemiah stated that this was the Lord’s work and his blessing would follow. There was also opposition but the work was eventual after some struggles, successful.
‘Ora et Labora’ was the call echo mentioned in the writings of John Calvin but it was also an endorsement and motivator of the early days of church and school building by the early Dutch immigrants of the late 40s and early 50s, when many immigrated to Canada and fulfilled hopes and dreams of community building and prosperity. A vision of Reformed singleness perhaps still alive but waning.
In fact the first ‘icon’ or branding for Hamilton District Christian Highschool (Grade 11 & 12 – 1960 a Grade 11 & 12 class project) incorporated the phrase ‘Ora et Labora’. Since then much has been accomplished. It was always a community togetherness effort supported by what we then called the strength of our ‘Home – School – Church’ vision in a symbol reflected by the Christian Reformed emblem of a triangle with the Christian Cross in the middle. Not seen much anymore and that could be another story……..
Still today is Labour day and this caught my attention. It was a reflection of an article by the past CRC Banner Magazine editor Shiao Chong (written when he was a Campus Minister) republished by Peter Schuurman in his Blog ‘Sensus Divinidatis’ about Campus ministry where Chong argued ‘Campus Ministry’ by a Reformed Christian Missionary needs to be open in presenting the central theme of Scripture and the universal truth of ‘God on the throne’ as a clear message that God is present in ‘All Things’ (also a Reformed student group at McMaster University headed by Dr. Michael Fallon in Hamilton). Just not only dwelling on the Jesus personal relationship commitment but that a ‘360 degree world-view’ (not of the world but in the world) is important in following Jesus, spreading the Good News (Gospel) and being part of God’s community, participating in all creation’s possibilities.
That is why there was so much discussion about Christian political and labour action in the early days of the 50s and 60s. (see CLAC) Labour relations efforts by Christians were fraught with misunderstanding and conflict by the religious, social and legal community of Canada as to what and how, even with the Reformed fellowship.
Today many see the importance again of Union activity as honouring and valuing the labour efforts of the common man in the offices, factories and places of employment in Canada. An article in the New York Times this morning mentions the present USA administration ridding many Federal workers jobs through DOGE actions by cancelling their positions (citing $$ and rules ‘efficiencies’), impacting the rise in unemployment rates but also robbing people of their jobs and jeopardizing the safety and wellbeing of family and the community.
Where is the concern for the worker, the NY Times reporter is asking? No one seems to be speaking up (where is the voice of Union leaders?) for these changes and the affected individuals whose jobs are not in keeping with the goals and visions of the new US political administration efforts to make ‘America great again’. This will also affect world order and Canadian jobs. Recently employees of the Crown Royal bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario are loosing their jobs to the USA. There are others. Uncertain treacherous times are ahead.
Pray for wisdom in negotiating through dealing with new strong and (in)different players for a new world order, also in labour and economic decisions.
‘Ora et Labora’ always! but for sure most of all the ‘Ora’!
JS – September 1, 2025 
- Photo: the Electric Power Project on Waterfront Beach Trail, Hamilton, Ontario
On the Road 