When I was a child, Sundays were different from the other days of the week. There were no weekend sports for kids, stores were closed, and most people didn’t go to work. Everyone went to church and then home for family dinner. Things started to change when I was a young adult – not just in the culture, but in my life. I stopped going to Mass and filled my Sunday with other things. At the peak of my career, I worked seven days a week. When not working, I took weekend motorcycle trips with my husband. The Lord’s Day was no longer set aside for God.
When I returned to the faith after 20 years, my first step was Sunday Mass. I still took motorcycle trips but always made time to find a church. I was beginning to recognize my need to keep holy the Lord’s Day. The more I attended Mass, the closer I was to Jesus, the more He touched my heart, and the greater was my desire to know Him.
When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, God had to teach them how to keep the Sabbath. As slaves, they could not worship God, they could not offer sacrifices, and they could not rest to ponder the mysteries of God. Like the Israelites, I was enslaved to work and needed God to free me so I could have rest.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches the Pharisees the true meaning of the Sabbath. It was not to enslave people but to free them. Freedom allowed them to enter into Communion with God.
The challenge today is to keep holy the Lord’s Day in a post-Christian culture. It is more than attending Mass, but what that “more” means is unique to each individual and family. Some avoid shopping and restaurants on Sundays. Others set aside time to serve. Still others reserve time for spiritual reading or family Bible study. Some families avoid all sports that have Sunday practices or games.
Jesus said in today’s Gospel that the Sabbath was made for man. Is your Sunday feeding you, refreshing you, providing relief for you? If it’s not, perhaps God is calling you to make a change. He may want to free you from the slavery you have willingly entered into. What’s holding you back? Is God asking something of you? Is there an activity you should begin or a behavior you should stop?
God has promised an abundant life. The day of rest opens the door to that abundant life. Embrace your Sunday as a day of rest and worship.
Daily Reading
Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
Readings for the Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr Reading 1 Hebrews 6:10-20 Brothers and sisters: God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love…
Saint of the Day
Saint Agnes
Saint Agnes, a young martyr of purity and faith, defied persecution with unwavering devotion, becoming the eternal Patroness of young girls.
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