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Keeping Sabbath

A decade, or so, ago (that is, shortly after we moved to Vancouver Island) a popular subject of study for clergy and laity alike was “establishing Sabbath Time.”

Coinciding with this encouragement (of establishing Sabbath-time), was a visit to our diocese of British Columbia from a bishop of another diocese. The visiting bishop shared his observations with our Diocesan bishop: 'the clergy of the Diocese of British Columbia were tired, stressed, and over-extended in their workday.'           

We are now moving into late-October.

Summer 2023 has just passed.

Generally, most people look forward to summer being a time to slow down, rest, and take time away—one description of Sabbath time.

We also speak of 'taking time' to simply sit in a quiet spot, and enjoy a good book; taking time to find that place of peace and quietness.            

The other part of Sabbath is to take regular moments of sabbath-time in our lives—to set aside a set time each week for self. Within the Jewish community, their weekly Holy Day is referenced as Sabbath.

When we (Flo and I) travelled in the Holy Land, we were so encouraged by seeing that Sabbath-time was lived out, not just in the Jewish community, but also in the Muslim, and Christian communities.            

I draw our attention to Sabbath, as our churches have been so busy creating ways to attract, encourage, inspire, and boost regular worship attendance, following COVID. (Most parishes will remark on the percentage of people who have not returned to worship since COVID).  

As we read the regular communications from our Diocese, the Anglican Church of Canada, and Canterbury, we all are aware of the many programs/suggestions available for connecting with those parish-members who have not yet returned to worship. Further, 5 members of our parish of St. John’s attended a recent workshop “Invite, Welcome, Connect” .

This was about a program to focus on our connections with the communities in which we live, work, and worship.            

All of these are great programs—with the best of intentions.

And, before we engage in every program offered, we may want to examine the “wheels on the bus.”  We may want to take time to consider one of the core practices of all faiths: keeping Sabbath.  

Dorothy C. Bass, editor of ‘Practicing Our Faith,’ describes 'Sabbath' thus,

"Sabbath-keeping is not about taking a day off, but about being recalled to our knowledge of and gratitude for God's activity in creating the world, giving liberty to captives, and overcoming the powers of death."

Often, we can get so occupied with doing all the programs, answering all the worthy causes/charities, serving all the people, that we find ourselves so busy that we do not have time to do everything well. There are moments when the newcomer, or guest, might look at a parish and see “chaos.”            

Keeping Sabbath is not about taking on one more task, or program.

Sabbath is about taking time to reflect on our biblical calling, and our response.

Often, keeping Sabbath is about “stepping back.”            

Taking time is so important.  

Sometimes, when I look at our society, I wonder, and ask God why 'we were not given eight days in a week'.

Increasingly, we are doing more on the one rest day God created for us. I am convinced: it is not about doing more.

It is about finding Sabbath.            

Here are some resource suggestions for further study:

Blessings for this week, 
Archdeacon Brian+