September 2nd this year was Labor Day. It first became a national holiday in June of 1894, when President Grover Cleveland signed the Labor Day bill into law. Earlier in 1830, manufacturing workers were working 70 hours per week on average. By 1890, work hours in manufacturing dropped down to 60 hours a week on average. Later, a six-day, eight-hours a day week was the norm. Now, a five-day, 40-hour working week is the norm. Labor Day was intended to honor workers and their contributions to American life. While it is a national holiday, it is largely voluntary in observance. In earlier times, there were labor union parades and other official observances. Some observances still remain, but for most U.S. citizens, the observance is more likely to be a cook-out or picnic. It may be the last trip of the summer, even though most children nowadays are already in school before September. It is worthwhile to remember how valuable meaningful work is. Anyone who has been out of a job for any extended period knows how debilitating the experience can be. Most of us remember our first paid job. It can be a matter of pride and a taste of responsibility. We even describe our life of faith as doing the work of the Kingdom of God. Our willingness to give our best to all our work, secular or religious, has often been viewed as a Christian virtue. I have often been struck by the verse in scripture that says, “…we are workmen together with God.” Perhaps that grants a spiritual tone to our celebration of Labor Day.