The Collect for Labor Day

Almighty God, who hast so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. BCP 210

The Collect for Labor Day was composed for the 1979 Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church by the Reverend Canon Charles Mortimer Guilbert (1908-1998), long-time Custodian of the Book of Common Prayer.

(Canon Guilbert served for many years in the Diocese of California, including a time in the 1960's as Rector of St. Clement's Church, Berkeley. When I was a student at the University of California in the early 1970's and a parishioner of St. Mark's Church, Berkeley, I had the privilege of knowing his late wife, Teddy (Theodora) Sorg Guilbert, who was a delightful person indeed.)

Bruce Robison