Rest, Labor Day, and Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

In our national calendar, yesterday was set aside to give rest to those who labor. In our liturgical calendar, it was the memorial of Bl. Teresa of Calcutta. This holiday and this holy woman find common ground in today's readings.

In the Psalm it says, "Only in God be at rest my soul, for from Him comes my hope." Nowhere else can we find rest except in God. The Pharisees sought rest in the observance of the law of Moses. Jesus, by healing the man with the withered hand on the sabbath, is telling them, "In me alone do you find rest."

We seek rest when we are uncomfortable. we hope to rest in what comforts us. In what or in whom do we seek comfort? Idle conversation? The presence of another person? Television? Novels? Other than idle conversation none of these are bad, but they provide little rest compared to the rest we find at the bosom of the Father. When we rest in God, we don't seek those things for comfort, but rather, as they are, good company, or entertainment, nothing more.

This is what made Mother Teresa such a great and holy woman. She worked with the poorest of the poor, the sick, and the dying. She founded a religious order to continue that mission. Those are only the fruits of her greatness. She was a saint because she rested in God. He was here sole possession.

Today, as we give thanks for all those who have worked to provide us with food, clothing, air conditioning, iPads, and countless other things, let us reflect on where we rest, and at the same time, look and see where instead we can rest in God.
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us.