“ORA ET LABORA” - or in English, “Pray and work” is the old Benedictine maxim combining spirituality and work. In fact, it is a common principle in many religions and especially in their monastic orders. True spirituality and productive, creative life cannot be separated, they belong together. I found the strongest expression of this principle while learning Hawaiian language and studying its original culture.
Hawai‘ian word KAHUNA (abbreviated KAHU) means “a priest”. Thus a church minister would be called Kahuna pule - a priest of prayers. But based on common language designations many occupations were also viewed as priestly. Here are some of them: a boatbuilder was Kahuna kalai wa‘a - a priest canoe builder. An architect was Kahuna kuhikuhi pu‘uone - a priest drawing (plans) in sand. A chief farmer, perhaps an agronomist, was Kahuna ho‘oulu‘ai - a priest who is making food to grow. A physician is called Kahuna lapa‘au - a priest of cures, a school principal was Kahu kula nui – a priest of high school. Even a person taking care of refuse, perhaps sanitation engineer in our idiom, was Kahu moka - a priest of excrement.
I like this cultural and linguistic insight. Truly any form and any kind of work, when done properly, with dedication and as a service to others or God indeed is a priestly occupation.
Come this Sunday, on labour day weekend, as we continue searching for new or rediscovered spirituality -- in three New Testament parables we will witness how Jesus combined and fused spirituality and work.
Hawai‘ian word KAHUNA (abbreviated KAHU) means “a priest”. Thus a church minister would be called Kahuna pule - a priest of prayers. But based on common language designations many occupations were also viewed as priestly. Here are some of them: a boatbuilder was Kahuna kalai wa‘a - a priest canoe builder. An architect was Kahuna kuhikuhi pu‘uone - a priest drawing (plans) in sand. A chief farmer, perhaps an agronomist, was Kahuna ho‘oulu‘ai - a priest who is making food to grow. A physician is called Kahuna lapa‘au - a priest of cures, a school principal was Kahu kula nui – a priest of high school. Even a person taking care of refuse, perhaps sanitation engineer in our idiom, was Kahu moka - a priest of excrement.
I like this cultural and linguistic insight. Truly any form and any kind of work, when done properly, with dedication and as a service to others or God indeed is a priestly occupation.
Come this Sunday, on labour day weekend, as we continue searching for new or rediscovered spirituality -- in three New Testament parables we will witness how Jesus combined and fused spirituality and work.
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