Keep Holy the Sabbath 

   “Remember the sabbath day – keep it holy.” (Ex 20: 8) 

   The Sabbath has become not much more than any other day off, a day to enjoy ourselves in whatever earthly pleasures we desire.

   Fewer and fewer attend church and even those who do seem to think that is what keeping the Sabbath holy means.  Sitting in a pew for an hour and then doing whatever comes to mind the rest of the day is not keeping the Sabbath holy.  One might call that doing the bare minimum and even that is questionable.

   What do we do after church, or before church if we go to a later Mass?  Do we watch the trash that passes for entertainment these days?  Do we plan the days activities as if it were just another day off, with no regard for living even one day a week for God?  If so, we are not keeping the Sabbath holy.

   The Sabbath is the perfect time to read scripture or other books that may increase our spirituality.  Forego the movie full of crude language, violence and sex.  Instead, go to a park for a picnic lunch.  Enjoy the beauty of God's creation, giving Him thanks for all He has done for us.  The options for keeping the Sabbath holy are many, choose one and come closer to God.

   Take time to have a family meal, tell them how important they are to you and how much you love them.  Especially if you have children who have drifted away from the church take a moment to pray for their return.  Family is the basis for society; when the family suffers, all of society suffers.  Keeping the Sabbath holy can make the family stronger and benefit society as a whole.

   Maybe, just maybe, if we keep the Sabbath holy, that holiness will spread to the rest of the week.  Perhaps it will change our lives for the better, bringing us closer to our Lord.