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In earlier days when I really started working in the world, various renditions of “what matters most” and “first things first” themes were quite popular within employer learning and development circles.

Coupled with well-intended mentoring by veteran fellow workers on rightly ordered living (i.e., God, family, job), I appreciated the formal training and informal counsel to help prioritize what’s essential for a successful work and home life. Especially when I was trying to provide an enjoyable life for more than just myself, one in which a noble, honest work experience was important to integrate.

Young or seasoned on the job, work is important for provisional sustenance and material growth, as well as for our psychological and spiritual health. Pertaining to the latter, Jesus said to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” versus earthly things that do not last — “for where your treasure is, there will be your heart also” (Mt 6:20-21).

With the both/and of Catholicism at work here, our Lord’s teaching helps us understand that for earthly well-being, while we have the need and responsibility to take care of our physical wherewithal, it is eternally wise and more important to concurrently feed your soul spiritually.

In the coming month, when Lent begins in early March with a special focus is on the solemnity of St. Joseph (March 19), the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Catholic Watchmen prayer intention for the coming month embraces the nobility of work. Modeled after the greatest of earthly fathers, the pillar of families and our patron saint, we ask for his powerful intercession: that all who are actively employed or seeking employment, who labor with dignity and in virtue, may physically and spiritually provide for their family. Furthermore, may they contribute to a society that it might flourish. As his litany speaks to this most just and most faithful example, St. Joseph is our model for work and the glory of domestic life. St. Joseph exemplified the balance of work and a spiritual life in a challenging world, more so, arguably, than ours today. But at a tough time, regardless.

In the faith journey as spiritual leaders, providers and protectors, we must take all things to prayer at home, work or elsewhere. This includes praying for the nobility and virtue in our work life that strengthens us to take action to help the world in which we live. A world we are often reminded as Christians to “be in, not of, yet for.” That requires us not only to strive for excellence in the workplace, but also to help calm stormy relationships. The past couple of years of the pandemic is proof that the working world needs more voices of faith and reason to help create an environment for professional dialogue on issues that can divide co-workers. Chances are your disposition to God, family and job will help resonate and disarm what can be destructive to production, efficiency and job satisfaction.

For a noble and healthy integrated work-faith life, we need to strive for excellence in all tasks/assignments on the job; we need to produce good works to serve others; and we need to create more than what we have been given — good wealth.

These tips were covered at a men’s conference talk given a few years ago by Michael Naughton, director of the Center for Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas. Naughton’s talk was titled, “Fortified Man — Being Catholic in a Secular World.”

There was also an emphasis on acquiring habits of resting and receiving that included: 1) providing a capacity to have both exterior and interior silence; 2) celebrating and protecting all of the Lord’s Day; and 3) reaching out to serve those on the margins. As Lent approaches, these habits fit well with prayer, fasting and almsgiving — all noble for the body and spirit at work, laying up treasures in heaven.

Deacon Bird ministers at St. Joseph in Rosemount and All Saints in Lakeville, and assists with the archdiocese’s Catholic Watchmen movement. Learn more about the Catholic Watchmen at archspm.org/faith-communities/men.