Sabbath

Today, I start with a question: Do you have a Sabbath day?

I am using the word -- Sabbath -- because a couple of weeks ago, a new colleague asked me the question, using that word. Depending on your history and experiences, you may respond in any number of ways, but my hunch is that the majority of you will say: SABBATH? No one SAYS that, any more.

Well, they do, but you have to know where to look though certainly, not as frequently as they used to.

It appears as a commandment, as in: The Ten Commandments. The third of the "ten commandments" is "Honor the Sabbath Day and keep it holy", or words to that effect, depending on your translation. It's a day for rest and worship.

"Worship" is a word that assumes a lot, and rest? What is that?

When my colleague asked me if I kept a Sabbath, it surprised me. I fumbled an answer about how it depended on the day and what my teenage sons were doing. "Sundays are basically for me," I said - though the minute I said it, I questioned its truth.

I should interject here, too, to tell you that the program I using to write this is capitalizing the letter S in the word: Sabbath. It is not my decision to impress significance. Someone, somewhere, made that editorial decision.

Do I worship? Well, those of you who know me know that I am an engaged member of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Milton MA.

Do I rest? That is an excellent question.

"Sleep is overrated" I said in my twenties. Now, in my fifties, sleep is what it's all about. It always was, though I did a good job pretending it wasn't.

The real question I have both for myself...and for you...is: DO I honor it, "keep it holy", as it were.

I know several millennials who take a "digital Sabbath", which is cool. Because of the ultra-connectedness of all things electronic, to be able to unplug -- literally -- has become their signature at the bottom of their emails. They alert us to the fact that if you are trying to contact them on a given day, generally Saturday or Sunday, you can't expect a reply.

I am offline from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, when I observe a 'tech sabbath' 

Offline. Unplugged. Being, just being. 

So I am thinking about all of this and wondering -- what IS a true Sabbath? What does one do or not do? Religious implications aside, what does it mean to take a day -- regularly - to refresh and nourish your body AND your spirit? Not to do it haphazardly, but to fully engage in it. What would it look like? Would one be engaged in quiet activities: reading, walking, meditating -- or more creative outlets: baking, gardening, crafting? 

I am asking the question of myself and I am also asking: YOU.  I am curious to know - do YOU keep a Sabbath? IF so, how do you define it? By what you do... or by what you don't do? Are you solitary in this or do you stay among others?

I don't have an encore for you this week. Usually, I have an idea to share or a realization, but this week, I am in the question stage. Perhaps this encore will come later.

So please, do tell me: DO you keep a Sabbath? What does that mean? I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Peace