Lent, 3rd Sunday (B) The first three commandments are all about love of God and the last 7 are about love of neighbor. They all make perfect sense, with the exception of the third commandment. Why would God command his people to take a day off, especially people who were living hand-to-mouth?

God rested on the 7th day. We, who are made in the image and likeness of God, are co-creators for six days, and then rest with the Master on the seventh. If we refuse to rest, we are saying that we have to depend in on our own strength, ingenuity, and hard work. God wants us to trust that he is a good Father and he will provide for his children.

When we refuse to take a day of rest, we are allowing ourselves to become enslaved by the economy and our expectations. God wants us to to be free from unnecessary servile labor. God wants us to be rested and renewed and be re-created.

The New Testament adds a third reason, which is the Resurrection of Jesus. We prepare ourselves for the heavenly kingdom by worshiping God and resting from our labors. How would my whole week look different if instead of treating Sunday as "my day," I asked God, "What do you want me to do with YOUR day?"

(3 Mar 2024)

Going Deeper: Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Third Commandment, Paragraphs 2168 to 2195.

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