What is the purpose of work? Am I in the right career? Am I called to this job? Most men wrestle with these questions throughout their careers. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Joe Stopulos sits down with Sam Halligan of FORGE, fresh off FORGE’s new course on men and work, for a candid conversation about why we work and how faith shapes the way we approach our jobs.
In this episode:
Meet Sam Halligan: A Des Moines native (St. Pius X Parish in Urbandale, Dowling Catholic, Benedictine College) who spent a decade as a missionary with Damascus in Ohio and Minnesota before coming home to Iowa and joining FORGE.
Work is not a result of the Fall: God commissioned Adam to till and keep the garden before original sin. Work carries real dignity by design; the “sweat of your brow” came later.
Do you have to enjoy your job? Providing for your family is a higher good than loving what you do. Ideally the two go together, and St. Irenaeus’ “the glory of God is man fully alive” points toward using your God-given talents well.
There is no perfect job: Even dream careers like pro golfer, rock star, or CEO come with grinding pressure. Comparison is a trap, much like Instagram.
Virtue lives in the middle: Avoid both the overworker who neglects his family and the man who never gets in the arena. Avoid both the job-hopper and the man stuck on autopilot.
Take an inventory: Pause, pray, and ask whether you are stewarding your talents or hiding them under a bushel basket.
Finding purpose in modern work: Since the Industrial Revolution, workers have moved further from the people they serve. Joe and Sam discuss meaning in a 100,000-person company, the role of AI, and the parable of three men building the same wall, one of whom knows he’s building a house for God.
St. Paul on idleness: 2 Thessalonians makes clear we are all called to work, including retirees.
Why men’s groups matter: A small group of faithful Catholic men who know you well is a strong sounding board for career and vocation decisions.
Next week in Part 2: evangelization in the workplace and much more with Sam Halligan.
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