Here are some extracts from the conference held by Rev. Thierry de Roucy on March 5, 2009, in Manhattan. Work certainly is one of the most fundamental dimensions of the human being on earth, this discussion underlined the fact that it is also a privileged place to live Compassion.
“We must be aware that every detail of our life is valuable, every minute we live is precious: studies, holidays, a train trip, a family day, a day at work... we must live each of them fully. Work represents such an important part of our lives! This time should certainly not be wasted.»
Work is where we experience difficulties:
” In quantitative terms, it is hard to find the right balance between working too much and not working at all. As to the quality of our job, we barely find a job that completely satisfies us, that entirely corresponds to who I am."
“Lead a healthy way of life, find the balance between the work of our mind and the work of our hands are real challenges. In the jewish tradition, rabbis did not only preach and advocate in synagogues, they also led manual activities. In fact, working with our hands is a fundamental ability of our human nature.”
“Understand my colleague is not an easy task either. Hence, when we work, we discover our limits in terms of love and charity. It is always tough to live with people we have not chosen. On the other hand, we may not adopt a fair judgement on our fellows. We are easily tempted to resent injustice when it comes to bonuses, salaries, promotions...”
“Eventually, it is hard to be equally enthusiastic in the various tasks we must accomplish. We are either excessively stimulated by the challenge or very bored by the request from a superior. ”
A few fundamental statements on Work:
"Work could be everything, every gesture that is fertile and fruitful. The woman giving birth to her child is working (One precisely uses the word “labour” to describe the delivery)."
“Every work is valuable. The quality of the work should be assessed regarding the fact that it is accomplished by a Human being rather than regarding its immediate rentability. In this sense, every work is digne and respect-worthy.”
“Our work is a picture of ourselves, a kind of autoportrait that shows us our qualities and defects, our greatness and limits.”
Work is where we achieve our human nature
“When working, one reveals onseself and subsequently, achieves oneself as a human being. Thus, looking for a job is already working as it consists in searching in which fields one could make a difference, one could experience ones qualities and defects. A man does not only transforms the nature when he works, he also transforms oneself and achieves thus his human nature. Work is a permanent teaching on who we are, an always renewed discovery of our humanity.”
“Work is a privileged place to live Compassion as we experience a real proximity with the other one.
Because work sometimes turns out to be incredibly painful and tough, our mission as workers becomes a Mission of consolation towards the most wounded, the most broken among our colleagues. We can testify that their work, that their presence is meaningful and that someone cares.”
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