On September 7, Americans will once again set aside the first Monday in September to give honor and thanks for all those who labor – that is, for all of those who work. A holiday unlike most others, Labor Day pays special tribute to the contributions and achievements of all workers in our nation. Born out of a desire to recognize all that the American worker contributes to the health and welfare of our land, Labor Day gives many of us the opportunity to pause and rest from our work, and collectively, as a nation, to honor and give thanks for the workers among us.

Government agencies and services will be closed on Monday, schools will not be in session, and many companies will give their employees time off. As we enjoy this time away from our normal vocational responsibilities, celebrating with small gatherings of family and friends or perhaps in the quiet solitude of our home, I am reminded of the words in Ecclesiastes 2:24-25: “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?”

On this Labor Day, our prayer at the Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) is that each of us would find enjoyment in our work and that we would continue to recognize how the work of our fellow Americans is vital to us all. To the teacher who instructs our children, the postman that delivers our mail, the Soldier that keeps us free, the farmer that provides us food, and the business owner that creates jobs and delivers services to us all – this Labor Day is for you. Indeed, Labor Day is for all workers, no matter our particular vocation. For all that we enjoy as Americans is the result of every worker among us. To honor and give thanks for one is to honor and give thanks for all.

We at RFI find a parallel principle at play in our work to secure religious freedom for everyone. We recognize that if the religious freedom of one group or individual is not honored, then religious freedom for all cannot be honored. Our commitment to achieve broad acceptance of religious liberty is only secured if everyone’s liberty is protected. We remain grateful for those who work alongside us for this purpose and pledge to continue our work toward this end.

During these unprecedented times, all of us at RFI are daily reminded that God has created and called each of us to our own particular vocation. These vocations, while many and varied, are for the benefit of everyone, which is why celebrating Labor Day is so important. We want to thank in particular those frontline workers, whether in the hospital or doing relief work, who have given tirelessly of themselves as the world continues to combat the COVID-19 virus. Their “love of neighbor” is abundantly evident and highlights this central religious impulse during these stressful days.

Happy Labor Day to all – no matter your job, no matter your religion. As Americans honor all workers this coming Monday, may we also honor the faith that these workers profess by respecting their religious freedom and that of all Americans.

Rev. Graham Glover

Chaplain Fellow

Religious Freedom Institute