"The Sabbath is God creating space. It forces the great distinction between being and having, whether we live for things or for people. God asks whether we're be-er or do-ers. The Sbbath calls the Jewish people to be, first of all, be-ers: people who know how to listen, wait, hope, depend, trust."(R.Rohr "Radical Grace" p.342)
Sabbath is a concept that is long gone from our psyches. This isn't about how you can now shop on Sunday or a rant about how Youth sports have taken control of our lives. My "sabbath" is not actually Sunday, it is supposed to be Friday.
Sabbath is supposed to be a day of rest and prayer. That seems to be what the original intent was. Following the pattern of God's creative activity in the beginning, God took a day off.
Most people do not work for money 7 days a week, but I haven't met anyone who does nothing on the days that they aren't working. Whether it's that "to do list" of household projects, or keeping the kids perpetually busy, we do not know how to stop and just be.
And I'd say we're also paying a heavy price for living this manic life. Adults and kids are less healthy physically and mentally and then wind up needing medication just to get through the work week.
I do believe that God knew this would happen, and that's why the sabbath was introduced. Left completely to our own devices we will go until something gives out. When our things give out we throw them away. What do we do when we give out?
Blessings,
Ed
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