Day 10: Words and Pictures: Interval

“Bump, bump, bump”. Once again the cardinal flew into the dining room window. He wouldn’t stop and I was convinced he was hurting himself. Unfortunately I couldn’t tell him to not do that. I don’t speak “bird” and so couldn’t communicate and explain that there was not any rival bird in the window, just his own reflection.

In some ways, that is the Jesus’ story: He came to earth to be able to communicate to us in a way that we would understand and to prevent us from the ultimate harm- separation from God.

But this is where the analogy ends. Jesus sacrificed all for us: humbling himself as a human and suffering all the conditions we do including the most horrible death. The good news, why this weekend is one of eternal importance, is that Jesus also conquered death- He rose from the grave (spoiler alert for tomorrow) and lives (no past tense).

Holy Saturday. The day of rest or Sabbath, for the Jews in Jesus’ day. They had to quickly take him off the cross Friday night, before sundown and bury him before the Sabbath began. What I find interesting is that God didn’t have some cosmic resurrection from the cross. He could’ve. He could’ve saved himself, come down from the cross, as many in the mocking crowd suggested but Jesus had to be declared dead and buried in order to completely conquer death and win the battle for all of us and our sins.

For us, Holy Saturday should be a comfort. While it is a day of mourning, Saturday represents the time when things are becoming right with God. The time cannot be rushed. There is some waiting involved. I wonder if the waiting is another analogy of the waiting that God is doing until all His beloved children come back to Him. We are living in the interval time from what was (Creation) to what will be (new Heaven and Earth). The intermission between acts.

And so Saturday is a day of “rest” before Easter Sunday. While we know what happens tomorrow and what that changes for us and for humankind, we still have to live through Saturday. A day that must’ve been surreal, troubling, full of anguish for Jesus’ family, friends and followers. For many, mourning is a season of rest, a complete pause from what was and what will be. It is an intermission that is difficult, emotional, and seemingly unrelenting. Yet it cannot be rushed. It is a time that prepares us for an eternal reunion. It is the interval that connects the past to the future: mourning that will turn into dancing someday.

As we prepare for Easter, do you believe that Jesus did come to earth? That he lived, suffered, died and rose again? Do you think that he saved us from ourselves or is that a manmade ideology to provide comfort in unexplainable circumstances?

Are you living in your own “Holy Saturday”? Are you grieving the loss of a loved one? How can you come alongside someone who is mourning? In this time of Corona, while we may not physically come alongside one another, could you offer support over the phone, a letter or email?

the "Pietà" by Michelangelo, Saint-Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. A magnificent work of art- this was carved out of one block of marble- the folds of her robe look more like cloth than stone.

One image that I think of for the suffering of Christ: death and the (temporary) separation of loved ones. This was Mary’s “Holy Saturday”, the interval before she sees her beloved son again. Any mother who has lost her child…

Sabbath Keeping

How are you at Sabbath keeping?  I am not talking about the traditional Orthodox Jewish practice of never turning on a light on Saturday.  Although if that is your practice I admire it.

I am talking about a day of rest, restoration and re-creation.  Do you regularly take time to recharge? Do you have margins in your life to just stop the everyday craziness?  Or do you feel that any stoppage time would set you back and the trying to catch up would not be worth it?  

I have been trying to add more wiggle room into my life- to intentionally leave time open on my calendar for incidentals and interruptions.  I must say that it is difficult.  For just when I think I have left room, it gets filled up and overflowing.  And then, the incidentals and interruptions occur. 

I am also trying to be more intentional in having a day or at least a part of the day in which the rhythm of the day is slower.  A day that is not hurried but one in which things organically happen.

I am trying to have a Sabbath.  

For me, as a Christian that means Sunday; starting my day with worship and spending time in relationship building of spending time with family and friends.  Sabbath is a time for enjoying the world around me, others and the world that God created. 

For me Sabbath starts the day before with a day of preparation.  It is on Saturday that I try and get things in order so that I don't have to worry about to-do items or activities.  Yet, I have learned that getting prepared for Sabbath doesn't mean that I have to be frantic because now I have one fewer day in the week to work. It means that I try and have things ready but probably not all done.  It reminds me that I am not in control of my life but God is.  I can trust Him with all the details of activity, knowing that He provides what I need to get done.  It is another example of God's economy; His economy of time. When we offer what we have to Him- time, money, resources- He always returns that portion back and more.  There is no logical explanation.  It is a God thing. 

I have decided that I would make ahead some simple meals that I can invite others to enjoy.  

Last Sunday was such a day.  I must say that I really looked forward to everything that was to transpire that day.  I looked forward to worship and to the time spent with friends.   The rhythm of our day was wonderful- slower paced, intentional, and restorative.

Many times, even for a "day off" I have so many obligations; activities, caring for others, to-do list projects around the house.  The schedule seems overwhelming.  If I don't stick to it, I will muddle through my day and not accomplish anything.  I have had to rethink my definition of "accomplishment".  Isn't it a good accomplishment to feel restored and ready for the next six days?  

What about you?  Do you have any time during the week that is slower paced?  How do you slow down your lifestyle?  Do you intentionally plan for a Sabbath?  If not, what is holding you back? What do you need to do in order to practice a Sabbath? 

I may not achieve it every week, but I am going to try and keep the Sabbath. 

Labor Day Musings

According to the Department of Labor website, first Labor Day celebration was held on September 5, 1882 in NYC to celebrate the "creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker."  Over the years other municipalities followed suit and had Labor Day celebrations.  It was finally in 1894 that Congress passed an act declaring the first Monday of September as a legal holiday. 

It seems to me that Labor Day is generally seen as the unofficial end of summer.  The focus is usually on picnics, family gatherings, and one final hurrah before the "real work" of fall begins.  In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries each municipality would have a Labor Day parade usually followed by a picnic complete with games and sports for the children and adults.   I don't know of any towns in our area that do that now. 

Summer isn't officially over until the autumnal equinox (September 22) but as the day after, it does seem as if the climate has already changed and we are already into fall.  All those who were out of town during various summer vacations have returned: The adults are noted by the sights and sounds of honking (and gestures) of speeding cars.  The college students are noted by the sights and sounds of large packs of students walking to and from class (and parties). The neighborhood children are noted by the sights and sounds of games (and arguments) playing on the street.  The silent sanctuary that we enjoyed during the summer has been shattered. 

And that is okay.

The summer is a wonderful opportunity for impromptu gatherings, spontaneous trips and a laid back attitude. I think it is important to treat the summer time as if one is on holiday- to have a relaxed schedule. But as with too much of even a good thing, it gets old. By the time Labor Day rolls around, I am ready for a change. I am looking forward to a schedule and routine. 

Fall is my favorite time of year. Coming on the heels of summer and all the restoration that summer (hopefully) has brought, it seems as if it is the best time for being productive, creative and open to new possibilities.  I wonder if that is why the original celebrations were chosen in September?   As much as the labor unions wanted to celebrate the workers, it was a good rallying cry to gear up the workers for the last quarter of the year. 

Each fall, I regroup and rewrite my goals for the year.  It is an appropriate time to reflect on what I thought might be accomplished and to realistically revise what I can.  Usually I look at that list and what I haven't completed.  In honor of the original intent of labor day, I think this year I will reflect on what has been accomplished so far this year.  I don't know about you, but I can be pretty hard on myself- in all that I do and say professionally and personally.   I can give others lots of slack, grace and compassion but for myself- forget it. 

In celebrating the American worker, the creators of Labor Day were also giving the workers a full day to rest from their labors. I think one of our modern problems is that we never let our minds rest. We feel that we have to continually keep moving, keep innovating, keep working harder in order to keep up. Of course, no one really knows the true definition of "keeping up". In honor of the original intent of labor day, I am also going to (try) truly rest from my labors or at least for one day.

What about you?  As you move into the fall season, have you had a chance to rest from your labors?  Have you celebrated your accomplishments?  Whether that is through your job, your home, your social interactions, or your family?  Just showing up and being present might be accomplishment enough. Or knowing when no response was the best response in an emotionally charged "discussion". 

This week  take some time for Labor Day.  Celebrate all that you have done so far in 2016. And then, give yourself permission to rest from your labors.