In the conclusion and epilogue to my book, The Reinvention of Work, I take up the topic of our work as sacrament. I propose resetting work in a larger context that includes the archetype of priesthood, which I name as being a midwife of grace.
Over the years, I have offered this definition of the priestly archetype in various talks and settings and have yet to receive any objections to it. Rather, a kind of “let’s think about this” response. Martin Luther liked to talk about the “priesthood of all believers,” but I am stretching it to the “priesthood of all workers.”
Is it time to carry the conversation further and ask some questions of our work, such as the following:
How is your work as a politician being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a scientist being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a teacher or educator being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a parent being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as an artist or musician, playwright or actor, dancer, filmmaker or video maker being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a minister, rabbi, imam, priest, or shaman being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a business person being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a journalist or editor being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a spouse, friend, or lover being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a farmer being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as an athlete being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a nurse, doctor or medical assistant being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a midwife being a midwife of grace?
Etc. etc. etc.
Furthermore, we need to ask this question too: How is your experience of receiving such work from others an experience of grace?
What is behind these questions which I pose especially at this time in history which is so perilous for the Earth, for democracy, and for our very souls?
Why is it important to talk about the priesthood of all workers? Or is it important at all? Because, if we lack a sense of the sacred, as many people are sensing today and as a dream told me a couple of decades ago, then looking more deeply at the sacredness of our work might begin a renewal of the sacred in our everyday lives.
To restore a sense of the sacredness of our work might spark (as in “spark of the soul”?) a very profound awakening in our lives and cultures and humanity itself.
Our work is sacred. It is how we respond deeply to life after all. We spend so much of our lives preparing for work and working and responding to our vocation or calling. Work often becomes our purpose for existence by which we discover meaning and share it with others.
The Sacred is that which is bigger than ourselves, that which brought us here, that made us and made us possible and gifted us with the unique gifts that we carry inside and that we seek to share with others. As Meister Eckhart put it, Whatever I want to express in its truest meaning must emerge from within me and pass through an inner form. It cannot come from outside to the inside, but must emerge from within.
Eckhart also reminds us that Jesus said in John’s gospel, “‘Bear fruit that remains’ (Jn 15.16). But what is it that remains? It is that which is inborn in me that remains.”*
To be continued.
Banner Image: Honoring service above and beyond the call of duty: President Joe Biden presents the Presidential Citizens Medal to Ruby Freeman, a Fulton County, Georgia election worker who was falsely accused by Trump and Rudy Giuliani of poll fraud in the 2020 U.S. election and targeted with MAGA death threats. Freeman and her daughter successfully sued Giuliani for defamation. Photo from the Biden White House archive on Flickr.
Queries for Contemplation
What does it mean to you to hear that our good work is a midwifing of grace? And therefore a sacred and priestly work? How have you experienced the truth of this as a worker? And also as a recipient of others’ good work?
Related Readings by Matthew Fox
*Meditations with Meister Eckhart: A Centering Book, p. 87
The Reinvention of Work: A New Vision of Livelihood For Our Time
Passion for Creation: The Earth-Honoring Spirituality of Meister Eckhart
Creativity: Where the Divine and the Human Meet
Hildegard of Bingen, A Saint for Our Times: Unleashing Her Power in the 21st Century
Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality
The Coming of the Cosmic Christ: The Healing of Mother Earth and the Birth of a Global Renaissance
Charles Burack, ed., Matthew Fox: Essential Writings in Creation Spirituality
Adam Bucko and Matthew Fox, Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision For a New Generation
Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth
Matthew Fox, Skylar Wilson and Jen Listug: Order of the Sacred Earth: An Intergenerational Vision of Love and Action
4 thoughts on “On Being Midwives of Grace: The Priesthood of All Workers”
Today’s DM made me realize that the words “Hail Mary, full of grace” also mean “Hail, Graceful Midwife of Grace.” Being grateful opens a gate for grace to enter and makes us graceful Midwifes of Grace. Thank you!
Our work/actions, no matter what we do daily, is Sacred/Graceful if we’re open Faithfully to the awareness of the Spirit of Divine Love~Wisdom working within, through, and among Us each in Our unique way in Our Loving Creative Diverse Oneness, including All physical/nonphysical spiritual dimensions/beings in the Cosmos, in the Sacrament of the Eternal Present Moment…
Please let us avoid being snobs in the listing of work:
How is your work as a housekeeper, a janitor being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a farm worker being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a construction worker being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a plumber being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a garbage collector being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a garbage collector being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a fisherman being a midwife of grace?
How is your work as a brick maker being a midwife of grace?
I am sure that they are included in our Etc., etc., etc. but that is not enough; the “worker”, not only the “professional” must be named. It is at this point in our politics and economy that the question is being asked. The “worker” is the “manual” worker, not the “professional, intellectual” “worker” who is most against the wall.
“Midwife of grace” is a fine metaphor. The word “midwife” evokes the image of the person (most usually a woman) who aids in the labor and birth of a baby (or more than one). And the scriptural phrases of the universe groaning in the process of adding new life to the world. And the Book of Revelation’s scene of the dazzling woman in the throes of delivering the sacred Savior–who is threatened but not devoured by the beast. If I experience a little difficulty in rousing myself to be like a midwife in some way, it’s time to pray for the grace I need. It’s abundant.