Many talk about a guest worker program. I think most reasonable

In the ancient teachings, the idea of the guest was never one of mere arrival; it was a sacred bond, a moment in which two worlds converged in mutual respect and shared labor. Gary Miller speaks to the heart of this age-old relationship when he says, "Many talk about a guest worker program. I think most reasonable people believe that a guest worker program in the farming industry, perhaps in the gardening and landscape industries, is reasonable." These words, spoken in our modern age, reach back to a time when the exchange of labor and resources between different peoples was both a necessity and an honor. It is a reflection of the ancient wisdom that we are all connected, bound by the work of the land, by the stewardship of nature, and by the shared labor that sustains us.

The farming industry, at its core, is one of the oldest practices of humankind. Since the days of Sumer and Egypt, when the first plows were drawn across the earth, the labor required to cultivate the land has always been both a spiritual and physical endeavor. The great Roman Empire understood the value of land cultivation, and its success depended not just on the mastery of military strategy but also on the efficient agriculture that sustained its people. The fields of Rome were tended by many, from local farmers to those who traveled in as guest workers, contributing their labor to the empire’s vast needs. The exchange of work, in this way, became a cornerstone of society and civilization, for the work done on the land was as much about community as it was about sustenance.

In a similar way, the gardening and landscape industries have become integral to the well-being of modern societies. Yet, these industries, too, require more than the hands of those who are rooted in the local soil. Guest workers, from far and wide, have often been called upon to bring their skills to the earth. The ancient Egyptians, for example, relied not only on their own people but also on workers from distant lands to construct the great pyramids and cultivate the fertile soil of the Nile. The labor was shared, and the fruits of that labor belonged to all. Gary Miller’s words echo this ancient practice of shared work across borders, suggesting that a guest worker program is not only a practical solution, but one deeply rooted in the tradition of mutual aid.

Yet, the wisdom of the ancients also cautions us to remember the responsibility that comes with welcoming the guest into one’s land. Hospitality, in the true sense of the word, is not simply a matter of offering shelter or work; it is a sacred bond that involves respect, fairness, and the mutual benefit of both host and guest. The ancient Greeks, in their epic tales, spoke often of the god Zeus, who was the protector of strangers and guests, ensuring that those who arrived in a new land were treated with fairness and dignity. The great philosopher Aristotle too wrote of the importance of hospitality, understanding that it was a practice that strengthened the bonds of society, bringing both the local and the foreigner into a relationship of trust and cooperation.

Thus, when we speak of a guest worker program, we must not simply consider the practicalities of labor but the humanity of the exchange. For what is the labor of the fields, if it does not also nourish the soul of the worker? The Bible speaks of the worker being worthy of their hire, and this ancient wisdom calls us to remember that every person, whether they labor in the field, the garden, or the landscape, is a vital part of the great web of existence. The land provides sustenance to all, and in return, the workers who tend it must be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. The guest worker, like the ancient traveler, must be welcomed with open arms, but also with the understanding that this is a sacred exchange—one that must serve the good of all.

In the modern context, the guest worker program offers a way to bridge the divide between different peoples, recognizing that labor is not confined to one land or one people. Just as the Romans built their empire through the work of many hands, and the Egyptians tilled the soil with the help of those from distant lands, we too can build a society based on shared labor, understanding, and cooperation. However, this must be done not out of mere expedience, but out of a sense of justice, compassion, and mutual respect. The farming, gardening, and landscape industries are but symbols of the greater work we must all do together in the modern world—working to sustain not just the land, but each other.

So, let us learn from the ancients, who understood that all work is sacred, that the labor of the land is a shared responsibility, and that the guest who comes to help must be treated with the same honor and respect as those who have always lived upon the land. Let us seek to create a guest worker program that not only addresses the practical needs of our society but also upholds the dignity of those who come to work. In doing so, we honor not only the traditions of the past but also the future of our shared humanity.