Leviticus 23:1-8 (NRSV)
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Chapter 23The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Verse 2Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: These are the appointed festivals of the Lord that you shall proclaim as holy convocations, my appointed festivals. Verse 3Six days shall work be done; but the seventh day is a sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no work: it is a sabbath to the Lord throughout your settlements.
Verse 4These are the appointed festivals of the Lord, the holy convocations, which you shall celebrate at the time appointed for them. Verse 5In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, there shall be a passover offering to the Lord, Verse 6and on the fifteenth day of the same month is the festival of unleavened bread to the Lord; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. Verse 7On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not work at your occupations. Verse 8For seven days you shall present the Lord's offerings by fire; on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation: you shall not work at your occupations.
Devotion
Sabbath (noun): A day in which you shall do no work; a holy convocation.
When is the last time you had a real sabbath? I'm not talking about a count-your-footsteps, make-no-sparks kind of sabbath, but how about a don't-check-your-calendar, let-it-wait-until-tomorrow kind of day? God's word to Moses is to call the people of God together and spend the day in communion with God, neighbor and creation. Even during Lent, we wander hither and thither at a blinding pace, chasing the dream of crossing one more item off our to-do lists and exiling ourselves from real relationships with our neighbors and with God. The truth is, that to-do list will still be there tomorrow, but today only comes once. Will you squander it, or will you make it a truly evangelical sabbath?
Prayer
God in whom we find rest, you call me by name to gather together with your people and marvel at your creation. Help me share your love with those I see today. Amen.