As a senior partner in a global consulting firm and a deacon in the Catholic Church, Gauthier Vincent is uniquely positioned to contemplate the intersections and integration of faith and work. He shares 12 ways he has found to ground his work in his faith, and explains how he applies these practically on a daily basis in his own life.
- Embrace the purpose of your work (remember all the people whose welfare our work contributes to)
- Realize your freedom (just follow Christ)
Ideas 1 and 2 are about growing in gratitude and in spiritual freedom - Practice a life of virtues at work (even work becomes a good habit, i.e., virtue and a school of selflessness)
- Do it right and make it beautiful (beauty always leads to contemplation)
- Always be cheerful (joy calls on Joy)
- Live the Gospel literally whenever you can (as you take the last seat and sub-optimize your work, you trust in the Lord)
- Welcome Christ in everyone (look at the Christ image in all, from the CEO to the janitor)
Ideas 3-7 are about living the right way, as a child of God - Cultivate the Presence of God during the day (turn your heart to the Lord with ejaculatory prayers, sweet words, e.g., as your watch beeps every hour)
- Practice the Examen (reflect on your day and look for how the Lord touched you through consolations and desolations)
- Begin and end your day in a contemplative mood (begin with a time for Scripture and Silence and the Silent Presence will stay with you during the day)
- Let the cross transform you (above age 25 one learns essentially through failures and suffering; there the Lord comes closer)
- Love the world and everyone in it (if you don’t work with love you deprive your co-workers, family, clients, etc.. of the real value of your work, i.e., the love with which you work)
Ideas 8-12 are about the mystical life at work, the life of union with the Beloved