Ah, Sabbath Day!

Sunday is not a rest from physical labour; it is the rest of holy leisure, of holy reflection, meant to remind us once again that we have been created to make the world a better place, as Jesus did. ~ Joan Chittister

Sunday is my favourite day of the week. I love the leisure of it. I stay in my pj’s until noon and relish every minute of the day. I read; I lounge; I eat a good breakfast; I have a relaxed pray time. There is quietness around me and serenity inside. I often listen to the praise and worship morning on CHVN. I cherish these days.

This morning I continued reading The Liturgical Year: the spiraling adventure of the spiritual life by Joan Chittister. The message is a challenging one for me right now. Sunday mass is a bit of a struggle for me since my pastor died a year and a half ago. Most of the congregation feels a huge void. Fr. Brian was entertaining and inspiring. He ruffled feathers. He shook people out of their complacency. He reminded us of our creaturehood while inviting us to be divine.

Chittister bids the reader to understand that the monotony of ordinary time during the liturgical year is what should sustain us: To live the liturgical year is to remember God’s goodness in life, day after day, week after week, season after season, and to remind ourselves ceaselessly, therefore of our own obligation to live life differently as a result. When we go to mass, it is not the individual priest who can either bore us to tears or rouse us to action that is the purpose of our presence. Whether we are making a to-do list in our heads for the next day or riveted to our seats, we still must be present to the Presence. We are there to remember the One who was born and died for us. We are called to prayer and action and are sustained at the Table amongst a community of believers. This is how we will live our lives differently and help to create a better world, beginning with producing a better self.

Happy Sabbath Day!

Peace,

Suzanne