Weekend Edition: A Holy Pause

It’s Sunday. The Sabbath in many Christian traditions. Other faith traditions observe a different holy day. But whether you are a regular Sunday church-goer, you follow another faith, or you have no faith tradition at all, some “Sabbath” is a day for you. I’m thinking of my Jewish friends and family who light candles on Shabbat for keeping a day of rest and remembering freedom from oppression. Rest and freedom. Don’t we all need a regular practice of taking a holy pause? Of resting from our labors (including, as best we can, our worries) and remembering the ways in which we are free? Whether we have some sort of daily practice or we set aside a day each week, "keeping Sabbath" is how we regain strength and energy for the task of working for rest and freedom for all.

You may have heard of Barbara Brown Taylor’s book, Leaving Church, which was featured in the New York Times, USA Today, and on NPR’s "Fresh Air." A retired Episcopal priest and former professor of religion and spirituality, she describes herself today as a “writer, speaker, and spiritual contrarian,” adding that “I say things you’re not supposed to say.” You can learn more about her here: Barbara Brown Taylor

One of my favorites among her books is An Altar in the World. Although the book was published more than 20 years ago, in the chapter devoted to Sabbath practices, she points to a prayer that speaks with haunting truth to the world we live in today:

“Our noisy day has now descended with the sun beyond our sight.

In the silence of our praying place we close the door upon the hectic joys and fears, the accomplishments and anguish of the week we have left behind.

What was but moments ago the substance of our life has become memory; what we did must now be woven into what we are.

 On this day we shall not do, but be.

We are to walk the path of our humanity, no longer ride unseeing through a world we do not touch and only vaguely sense.

 No longer can we tear the world apart to make our fire.

 On this day heat and warmth and light must come
 from deep within ourselves.”

                        ~”Welcoming Sabbath” from 
                                 the New Union Prayer Book

May it be so.

Until tomorrow, I wish you rest, freedom, and good health.

Love,
Nancie/Mom/Mimi/Grandma

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