September 4.  Wisdom. Sunday 23 C. On Sunday as the family on their eco-safari were looking out over a vast landscape from the mountain pass where they had camped and planned to spend the day, after Mass at a small mission, Pauline shared, “Giving due honour to God means that we do recognise the Sabbath, as God’s day of rest.”  “But within reason,” Michael added, “Some people do have to work around here.  That can even be taking up one’s cross.” “For some not having work can also be a cross. Let’s be grateful even for the little we have on this special day. “ Together they thanked God before relaxing after doing their chores.

Scripture: Whoever of you does not bear his own cross and renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25-33.   Pope Francis: On Sunday, our participation in the Eucharist has special importance. Like the Jewish Sabbath, it is meant to be a day which heals our relationships with God, with ourselves, with others and the world. Sunday is the Day of the Resurrection, the “first day” of the new creation. Christian spirituality incorporates the value of relaxation and festivity. We tend to demean contemplative rest as something unproductive and unnecessary but this does away with the most important thing about work, its meaning i.e. receptivity and gratuity.  LS237

ECO-TIP AND PRAYER:  Check out your attitudes about work and observing Sunday as a day of rest.  Are we taking sufficient note of God’s intentions in instituting the sabbath?   Pray the Glory be …….