Self-Reflection Essay

Christina Claar

SLA 400 45: Senior Integrative Seminar

Dr. Mary Monsour

March 25, 2022

 Our world is in a state of constant change. Every day there are advances in technology,

medicine, industry, and society, and all of these changes are driven by the work of humanity.

Work is one of the constants of the world and an inherent part of what separates humans from

other beings. In recent years, work in many areas has grown, while in other areas it has stopped

as there are not enough people to fill necessary roles. I have chosen a career in the healthcare

industry, which has seen growth and labor shortages since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Healthcare can be said to be twice as fulfilling as any other work due to its nature of caring for

your fellow man. My vocation consists of helping those who are unable to fulfill the duty of

work without assistance from others.

Pope John Paul II wrote of the importance of work to the social order in Laborem

Exercens, and although some parts of it read as a bit outdated, there is much that is still

relevant today. Much debate has occurred recently on the disproportion of wealth among the

working class and the adjustment of the minimum wage in the United States has stirred much

controversy. In the words of Pope John Paul II, “a just wage is the concrete means of verifying

the justice of the whole socioeconomic system and, in any case, of checking that it is

functioning justly” (1981). I interpret this to mean that if members of society are being paid

unfairly, then there is a flaw in the economic system, but if they are receiving fair wages, then

the society is functioning correctly and not focused on materialism. The major issue now is that

the majority of the nation’s wealth belongs to only one percent of the population; executives

make millions of dollars a year while their employees cannot afford adequate housing and rely

on government assistance to make ends meet. This is not a just system.

 My vocation addresses a social justice issue that Pope John Paul II discusses in the

referenced encyclical. I work with individuals with intellectual disabilities and developmental

disorders, and part of that is through our vocational center. It provides our consumers with

opportunities to work and earn a paycheck at a skill level that matches their capabilities. I

consider this to be a privilege and responsibility as it fulfils a demand of humanity. The people I

work with truly do live up to the words of Pope John Paul II; “they are full-scale subjects of

work, useful, respected for their human dignity” (John Paul II, 1981). Part of being human is the

drive to work, and as humans deserving of all the rights that come with being, these individuals

should not be denied the satisfaction of fulfilling part of their purpose.

I did not ever imagine myself becoming an advocate for the intellectually disabled

community, but the more time I spent working in their environment, the more passionate I

became for their cause. Too many people are under the misconception that people with these

disabilities are a burden on society and consume resources without contributing anything in

return. Pope John Paul II reminds us that the “disabled person is one of us and participates fully

in the same humanity that we possess” (John Paul II, 1981). Part of the work I do is to educate

as many people as possible on the truth about these individuals and the things they are able to

accomplish in spite of their disabilities. It can be frustrating at times, and I felt I understood

John Lewis when he spoke of his own journey and said, “you don’t change the world, the

society, in a few days, and it’s better” (Tippet, 2013). Changing the attitude of an entire country

is not going to happen overnight, but hopefully over the coming years we can make some

significant progress.
 This profession allows me to fulfil my need to work and also the need of others, and I

find it to be doubly fulfilling for that reason. My role may be largely administrative, but I gain

satisfaction knowing that I am contributing to a program that is promoting social justice rather

than some large, faceless, profit-seeking corporation. I could almost say working in this field is

more of a calling than a career, and I would love to continue my work here indefinitely. I hope

that through the work we do we can inspire others to begin similar programs. This is one area

where there is no shortage of individuals ready and willing to work. However, there are so few

resources available to them and very limited opportunities to access programs like ours.

Services for the intellectually disabled community are stretched thin as the individuals enter

adulthood and age out of the public school system. It is a very pressing issue in our own

community and even globally.

I relate to John Lewis as he said “my life…is an extension of my faith” (Tippet, 2013). I

see my faith reflected in my work and my passions, as well as my life outside of work. I was

always taught that you should never have to tell someone you’re a Christian-you should show

them, and they would know through your actions. I believe this to be true, and I also

understand now how important it is to live and work in ways that fulfil you spiritually. There are

few things more rewarding than to have your work and your passion intertwined, and if you are

able to help others and tackle social justice issues on top of it, all the better. I do know that not

everyone will be blessed with a job that provides that same satisfaction, but that does not deny

them the opportunity to find ways to work in ways that bring them fulfilment.
 References

John Paul II. (1981). Laborem Exercens. Retrieved from https://www.vatican.va/content/john-

paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_14091981_laborem-exercens.html

Tippet, K. (Host). (2013, March 28). Love in Action. {Audio podcast episode}. In On Being with

Krista Tippett. On Being. https://onbeing.org/programs/john-lewis-love-in-action/#audio