The World Needs Ditch Diggers

It is interesting how people look at professions.  Take mine for instance.   There are many out there who think that police work is a noble profession.  After all, the police are out there putting their life on the line protecting the innocent and saving lives.    There are others out there who think that police work is beneath them.   They may just dislike the police or can't imagine having to work in the "trenches" getting dirty and bloody.   There are all types of jobs and careers out there--blue collar and white collar.   All of them have their pros and cons.  Someone working in an office environment might be comfortable.  They make good money and work inside where they have creature comforts such as heating and air conditioning.  But they may work under a lot of stress to make deadlines or have to work long hours.    On the other hand, a carpenter or a bricklayer may have to work outside in the environment and not make as much money but they may be happier because they enjoy what they do.

Society needs this broad spectrum of people and careers.   We need the lawyers and politicians and bankers just like we needs cooks and fisherman and teachers.  They all have their rolls in society.  Heck, there are even different rolls in an organization.  More people go into building a house than carpenters, plumbers and electricians.  There are foremen, architects, inspectors and lenders.  We are all pieces in a bigger puzzle.

This is important to remember as we are also pieces and parts of the Body of Christ.  From the pope all the way down to Joe the Plumber sitting in the pew--we are all members of the Mystical Body of Christ.  As such, we each have our own roles to play and given different graces.  St. Paul says of our different graces, "if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one extorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, in diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Roman 12:6-8)

So the role that God may have for me in my life may not be the same that he has given to a bishop in China or someone working at Catholic Worker house.  This doesn't mean God doesn't trust me as much or love me any less.  It's just a different role.  A different mission from God.   This is why we need to take care of each other.  This is why we need to be uplifting to each other.  We must help each other out because they whole body needs to remain healthy.  If one part is ailing then we are all ailing.  This is why we cannot look down upon anyone.  God loves us all.

So next time you are walking into the local Quik Trip and you bump into someone on their way to their job, don't see them as a construction worker or a businessman.  See them as a brother or sister in Christ who has a job just as important as yours.