Preparing for Sunday - Father Boyd’s Reflection

The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 16

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel refers to the Sabbath as a “palace in time” or a spiritual sanctuary from the tyranny of the worldly demands placed on our lives. On the Lord’s Day, we let go of our constant striving for the things of this world and rejoice in the dependability of God and the many blessings God provides for us–our food, friends and family, forgiveness of our shortcomings, and the many ways in which we are healed and restored. In our lessons, Jesus is teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath and notices a woman who is crippled and cannot stand upright. Having compassion for her, he calls her over and heals her of her ailment. However, one of the religious leaders is “indignant” that Jesus performs this act on the Sabbath. Our lesson from Hebrews describes the awe and wonder in which we live under our new relationship with Christ, and Isaiah extols the Sabbath as a day of delight. What is the meaning of Sabbath to you? Are you able to relinquish your fears and worries and simply rest in the presence of the Holy? Where do you find God and what do you cherish the most about the different ways you spend time? I look forward to seeing you Sunday at 10:00. 

Blessings, Fr. Boyd+