Sabbath-time of Rest

 

Sabbath Time Brings Rest & Restoration

“So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation”[1]. These are familiar words from Genesis. God rested, but we humanoids find it hard, or don’t always understand the meaning of “God resting.” The truth is,  God was tired! There are two words in this scripture that should speak to us as we think about sabbath time: Work[ing] and Creation[ing].

It takes a lot of work to be creative, whether it is God or humanoids, and Sabbath is meant to be a day, or lengthy period of time, for REST from whatever defines our WORK lives. The tradition of the Sabbath comes from our Jewish siblings of practicing Shabbat, which falls on Saturday, and the word literally meaning “rest”; so, the greeting of Shabbat Shalom translates into “peaceful rest.” In the Christian world the concept of Sabbath has fallen onto Sunday in recognition of the “Day of Resurrection”.

In our current times, we are all weary and at times overwhelmed by the pressures within our lives. Our creativity is being drained. In addition to feeling overworked at times, there are the ongoing issues whether personal and/or media generated! It is family issues, COVID issues, political issues, work issues, health issues, etc. Sabbath time offers us the opportunity to step away from the frenzy of our lives and to find a way to be reenergized/restored. The practice of sabbath time is intentional and regular, any day of the week, as it fits one’s schedule.

How is sabbath time structured? Ruth Haley Barton from her book, Sacred Rhythms, makes this offering:

           [Do] “whatever delights you and replenishes you.”[2]

 

Resting the body. The invitation of sabbath time is to replace the time you would normally spend working with activities that you find restorative: a nap, a walk, a bike ride, a long bubble bath, eating your favorite foods (no dieting on the sabbath), sitting in the sun, listening to beautiful music.

 

Replenishing the spirit. Another invitation of the sabbath is to pay attention to what replenishes the spirit and choose only those activities that renew you and bring you joy. Usually television and most things technological [social media] are not really replenishing. . . read a book for pleasure. . ., [a novel, a mystery, poetry, etc.]

Restoring the soul. Perhaps the deepest refreshment is the invitation to renew the soul through worship and quiet reflection. . . you may be able to spend some extra time in silence and prayer, take a slow meditative walk, . . .journal about your week. . .open your home to family and friends [for a meal]

 Sabbath time is different for everyone, but the common prayer for of us, says:

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills . . .[3]

Sabbath time offers that restoration of our minds, creative imaginations, and putting our wills into perspective.

            God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it! And, hallowed your Sabbath Time!

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[1] Holy Bible; NRSV, Genesis 2:3-4

[2] Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton, pp 142-144; bracketed items are the writer’s thoughts

[3] Book of Common Prayer; #61 A Prayer of Self-Dedication; pp 83

[This text was prepared for the Trinity Cathedral weekly commentary of July 6, 2023]

Collage of Self

 Self Made Collage

I am the one who,

Through the ruins of time,
Still stands like a worn temple column,
I am the one who,
Decades have worn away true self,
While, light mirrors today's self within sacred arches,
I am the one who,
Rises to breathe light into the heavens,
Collaged with fresh filled grace,
I am the one who,
Today,

Here living in present time!

[This reflection comes from a "Soul Collage" exercise during the Deacon's retreat of 2023; the photo is the panel which I created during the exercise.]