The Third Commandment

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Remember to Keep Holy the Sabbath

The Catholic Church teaches that the commandment “to keep holy the Sabbath” has evolved in light of the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ. Here’s a summary of its teachings:

Meaning:

In its essence, it signifies:

  1. A Day of Rest: The Sabbath, designated as the seventh day of the week, is set apart as a day of rest from ordinary work and labor. It offers an opportunity for physical, mental, and spiritual rejuvenation.
  2. A Day of Worship: The Sabbath is dedicated to honoring and worshiping God. It serves as a reminder of God’s creation and His covenant with His people. Observing the Sabbath allows individuals to focus on their relationship with the Divine, express gratitude, and seek spiritual nourishment.
  3. A Day of Remembrance: The Sabbath serves as a day to remember God’s mighty acts, such as the creation of the world or the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt. It is a time to reflect on God’s blessings and His faithfulness.
  4. A Day of Community: The Sabbath encourages communal gatherings and fellowship. It fosters a sense of belonging and provides opportunities for shared worship, learning, and celebration.

The specific ways in which the Sabbath is observed may differ across religious traditions. For example, in Judaism, the Sabbath is observed from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. In Christianity, the Sabbath is observed on Sunday, the day of Jesus’ resurrection. However, the underlying principles of rest, worship, remembrance, and community remain consistent across various interpretations.

By keeping the Sabbath holy, individuals not only honor God but also benefit from the physical, mental, and spiritual renewal that it provides. It serves as a weekly reminder of the importance of prioritizing one’s relationship with the Divine and fostering a sense of community.

Following the Commandment:

Following the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath involves several key practices:

  1. Rest from Ordinary Work:
  • Refrain from engaging in your regular work or labor.
  • Avoid activities that could be considered burdensome or stressful.
  • Delegate tasks or chores that can be done on other days.
  1. Attend Worship Services:
  • Participate in communal worship services, such as attending church or synagogue.
  • Engage in prayer, reflection, and singing hymns or psalms.
  • Listen to sermons or teachings to deepen your spiritual understanding.
  1. Engage in Spiritual Activities:
  • Spend time in prayer and meditation.
  • Read religious texts or scriptures.
  • Study and reflect on your faith.
  1. Connect with Community:
  • Gather with family and friends for meals and fellowship.
  • Engage in acts of service or charity towards others.
  • Visit the sick or those in need.
  1. Enjoy Rest and Relaxation:
  • Spend time in nature or engage in leisure activities that bring you joy.
  • Rest and recharge your body and mind.
  • Connect with loved ones and nurture relationships.

The specific ways in which you choose to keep the Sabbath holy may depend on your religious tradition and personal preferences. However, the core principles of rest, worship, remembrance, and community should remain central to your observance.

Sins Against the Commandment:

Sins against the commandment “to keep holy the Sabbath” generally involve actions or attitudes that detract from the spirit of rest, worship, remembrance, and community that the Sabbath embodies.

Here are some examples:

  1. Unnecessary Work:
  • Engaging in regular work or labor that could be postponed or delegated to another day.
  • Pursuing activities that cause stress or anxiety, hindering rest and relaxation.
  • Prioritizing worldly pursuits over spiritual reflection and connection with the Divine.
  1. Neglecting Worship:
  • Failing to attend religious services or communal gatherings on the Sabbath.
  • Disregarding prayer, meditation, and other spiritual practices.
  • Engaging in activities that distract from worship and focus on worldly pleasures.
  1. Idleness and Laziness:
  • Spending the Sabbath in complete inactivity and wasting precious time.
  • Failing to use the Sabbath for spiritual growth, learning, and self-improvement.
  • Neglecting the opportunity to serve others and contribute to the community.
  1. Disrespectful Behavior:
  • Engaging in gossip, slander, or other forms of harmful speech.
  • Displaying anger, impatience, or other negative emotions towards others.
  • Failing to honor and respect family members, elders, and those in authority.
  1. Materialism and Consumerism:
  • Focusing on shopping, acquiring possessions, or indulging in excessive consumption.
  • Prioritizing material wealth over spiritual values and relationships.
  • Allowing worldly desires to dictate your actions and decisions on the Sabbath.

It’s important to note that the specific interpretation of what constitutes a sin against the Sabbath may vary across different religious traditions. However, the overarching principle is to avoid anything that detracts from the sacredness of the Sabbath and prevents you from experiencing its intended benefits of rest, worship, remembrance, and community.

Ultimately, keeping the Sabbath holy is a matter of the heart. It requires a genuine desire to honor God, prioritize spiritual growth, and nurture meaningful connections with others. By approaching the Sabbath with intentionality and mindfulness, you can avoid sinning against this commandment and experience its transformative power in your life.

Fostering Intimacy with Jesus

Observing the Sabbath can foster intimacy with Jesus in several profound ways:  

  1. Prioritizing Time with Him: By setting aside the Sabbath as a dedicated time for rest and spiritual pursuits, you create space in your life to focus on your relationship with Jesus. This intentional prioritization communicates your love and devotion, deepening your connection.
  2. Engaging in Communion: Worship services, prayer, Bible reading, and meditation allow you to commune with Jesus, listen to His voice, and experience His presence. Through these practices, you open yourself to His guidance, comfort, and love, fostering a sense of closeness and intimacy.
  3. Reflecting on His Teachings: Studying scripture and reflecting on Jesus’ life, teachings, and sacrifice enables you to better understand His character and purpose. As you contemplate His words and actions, you gain insights that draw you closer to Him and inspire you to follow in His footsteps.
  4. Emulating His Example: Jesus Himself observed the Sabbath, demonstrating its importance in maintaining spiritual health and connecting with God. By following His example, you align yourself with His values and deepen your identification with Him.  
  5. Experiencing Rest and Renewal: The Sabbath offers a respite from the busyness of life, providing opportunities for physical and emotional renewal. As you experience rest and rejuvenation, you create space for Jesus to minister to your heart and soul, fostering a sense of peace and intimacy with Him.  
  6. Serving Others: Jesus taught the importance of compassion and service. By using the Sabbath to connect with your community and engage in acts of kindness, you demonstrate love for others, reflecting Jesus’ own compassion and deepening your relationship with Him.  
  7. Expressing Gratitude: The Sabbath is a time to remember and appreciate God’s blessings. As you express gratitude for His love, provision, and grace, your heart is filled with joy and thanksgiving, fostering a deeper bond with Jesus.  

By wholeheartedly embracing the Sabbath and dedicating it to spiritual pursuits, you cultivate an environment where intimacy with Jesus can flourish. Remember, He desires a personal relationship with you, and observing the Sabbath creates the space and opportunity for that relationship to grow and deepen.

Examining Your Conscience on the Commandment

Here are some questions you can ask in examining your conscience to see if you have followed the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath:

Rest and Renewal

  • Did I refrain from unnecessary work and labor on the Sabbath?
  • Did I avoid activities that caused stress or anxiety, hindering rest and relaxation?
  • Did I allow myself adequate time for physical and emotional renewal?
  • Did I unplug from technology and distractions to focus on being present and mindful?
  • Did I use the Sabbath to recharge and rejuvenate my body, mind, and spirit?

Worship and Spiritual Growth

  • Did I attend communal worship services or engage in private prayer and devotion?
  • Did I read and reflect on scripture or other spiritual texts?
  • Did I dedicate time to meditation, contemplation, and connecting with the Divine?
  • Did I seek to deepen my understanding of my faith and grow spiritually?
  • Did I prioritize spiritual pursuits over worldly concerns and distractions?

Remembrance and Gratitude

  • Did I take time to remember God’s blessings and express gratitude for His love and provision?
  • Did I reflect on the significance of the Sabbath in my faith tradition?
  • Did I remember God’s mighty acts and His faithfulness throughout history?
  • Did I avoid activities that detract from the sacredness and purpose of the Sabbath?

Community and Service

  • Did I spend quality time with family and friends, fostering meaningful connections?
  • Did I engage in acts of service or charity towards others in need?
  • Did I contribute to my community and build relationships with those around me?
  • Did I demonstrate compassion and empathy towards others, reflecting Christ’s love?
  • Did I avoid gossip, slander, or any behavior that could harm or divide others?

Overall Reflection

  • Did I approach the Sabbath with intentionality and mindfulness, setting it apart as a sacred day?
  • Did I experience a sense of peace, joy, and spiritual renewal during the Sabbath?
  • Did I honor God and prioritize my relationship with Him throughout the day?
  • Did I avoid any actions or attitudes that could be considered sins against the Sabbath?
  • How can I improve my observance of the Sabbath in the future to deepen my connection with God and others?

By honestly and thoughtfully answering these questions, you can gain valuable insights into your Sabbath observance and identify areas for growth and improvement. Remember, the goal is not to achieve perfection but to strive for a deeper connection with God and a more meaningful experience of the Sabbath in your life.

Sharing

Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age

Commandments

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