Day 7 of Embracing Your Creative Gifts: The Importance of Rest

 

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made: and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. – Gen 2:2

Just as God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, setting the foundation for the Jewish Sabbath, we too are called to work and then rest. As Christians, our day of rest has been moved to Sunday, the first day of the week, to commemorate Christ’s Resurrection, but the admonition to honor the day remains.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church offers these guidelines:

Just as God "rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done," human life has a rhythm of work and rest. The institution of the Lord's Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives.

On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body. Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health.

Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life. (2184-2186)

I only started to take the idea of a Sunday rest seriously a few years ago. Prior to that, I always went to Mass, but the rest of my Sunday looked pretty much the same as any other day. When I began to make a concerted effort to do something relaxing and stay away from work (and the internet) on Sundays, I was amazed at the difference it made in my life. Now, I look forward to Sundays each week. God rested; so should we.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of rest and relaxation. Help me to remember that while we are called to work and to use our creative gifts, we are not called to be slaves to work. Help me to always keep work in its proper place in my life.

Action

Make a plan to do something you enjoy on the next Sunday. Take the opportunity to rest and refresh yourself.

This is an excerpt from The Work of Our Hands. (Amazon affiliate link)