Today we were given a free day, in which we could venture
off to explore, or visit some of our favorite sites which we’ve already
discovered. For some, this day brought them back to the Holy Sepulcher for an
early morning Mass at the place where Jesus was buried. A group of seminarians
also made a short journey on foot to the Mount of Olives, St. Peter in Gallicantu,
and other holy sites in the vicinity of the city of Jerusalem. Others ventured
back to Ein Karem, to hike the hill country of Judea where Mary would have walked
as she approached her cousin Elizabeth. A few from our group even went to the
local Benedictine Monastery where they attended a priesthood ordination!
The gift of leisure is a beautiful thing. It allows the soul
to escape the daily grind, and for once to be spontaneous, creative, and
recreational. For each of us, we were able to respond to the particular places
we felt the Lord calling us back to.
This evening many of us went to view the Western Wall, where
Jews from near and far gather by the hundreds, and even thousands, to welcome
in the Sabbath day. Beginning on Friday at 2pm, all public transportation in
the city of Jerusalem closes down, and shortly after, all the shops do as well,
in order to prepare for the welcoming in of Shabbat,
the Sabbath. Then, from sunset on Friday evening until sunset on Saturday
evening, they stop from work, they gather for prayer and even song, eat an
extra special meal, and spend time together with family and friends. As we
reside in Jerusalem for these weeks, we realize how this day of rest is so
deeply ingrained into their Jewish faith and culture.
It reminded some of us of distant memories we’ve heard from
grandparents, regarding shops in the United States being closed on Sunday for the
Christian day of rest, the Lord’s Day. What we’ve known growing up has often
fallen quite short of this reality, which is better known as the Third
Commandment. Extra work, shopping, and the television seem to have taken the
podium.
Then we began wondering, what if we as Catholics began to
reclaim the Lord’s Day, just as the Jews have maintained in their respected
faith. Why can’t we too use Saturday as a day of preparation, for doing chores,
grocery shopping, and yard work? Then at sunset on Saturday evening, usher in
the Day of Rest by actually resting! Perhaps prayers and a nice meal and
fellowship with family and friends, prepared and eaten together - perhaps even
candles, sacred scripture, and songs at the close of the day. And why not
center Sunday around our source of life, the Eucharist, and our afternoons
spent in leisure reading a book, or taking a nap, or going to a park, or
spending time with loved ones, playing games, or [insert your litany of
possible good deeds here].
The list could go on, but the bottom line is, this day is a gift from God, we are meant to enjoy it, unburdened by the strenuous labors, which occupy our weeks. When the sun sets on Sunday, let us feel refreshed, thanking God for the many gifts he has bestowed on us, and above all for the gift of life. Let us praise the Lord!
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| A Jerusalem Sunset |