Many months ago I began to celebrate and keep a Sabbath each and every week.  Since Roman Catholicism adapted the Jewish Tradition by moving The Sabbath Day to Sunday, I gratefully offer to our Creator God all that transpires from 5:30 PM on Saturday through 5:30PM on Sunday .  For me that means avoiding all activities that get in the way of mindfulness about my place in Creation, and welcoming (with good humor and wonder) whatever opportunities for Grace and Loving Service present themselves.  That is not to say that I always succeed at such noble goals because, I am, after all, a most foible-ridden older woman.  But I have been trying…

…which reminds me of a story:   Once when my kids’ stepdad and I were in the middle of a wrenching conversation, and I was quite literally at my wits’ end emotionally, crying and quite dramatically lamenting, “…but I’m trying so hard, I’m really trying,”  he leveled a ‘look’ at me and replied, “You are.  Very.”  It’s been a little over 30 years since  that exchange and, to be honest, I’ve thought it quite wry and witty for at least 25 of those years.  Truth be told, “Himself” really enjoyed a fine sense of humor.  I bring it up here because in light of  my Sabbath aspirations that I flub occasionally, I can’t help but think that my personal Guardian Angel says the same thing about me fairly regularly.  “Oh, look at the poor Dear–she’s trying again.  She is so trying.”

So, today whilst I tried to keep a mind-full and meaning-full Sabbath, I happened upon a meditation by Madeleine L’Engle that I feel compelled to share here.  In a world of ever-growing divisions and disturbing partisanships, she writes of ‘praying inclusively:’

“God be in my thoughts, and in my heart.  In my left hand and in my right hand.  Atone me.  At-one me with you and your love.  Help me to pray for those I fear as well as those I love, knowing that you can take my most ungracious prayers and give them grace.   Whenever we pray, we are tapping the power of creation, and that’s a mighty power.  There are a lot of battle lines to cross in order for us to pray with each other, and with the rest of the world, with those who do not agree with us, with those who worship God in ways we do not understand.  But that is all right.  We do not have to understand.  We do have to try to turn to love, to know that the Lord who created all, also loves all that which was made.”  (A Stone for a Pillow:  Journeys with Jacob, Madeleine L’Engle, 1986.)

May you be blessed with the inspiration to create for yourself a Sabbath–a day of peace, wonderment, some quiet, and if all else fails, a benevolent ruckus full of family, friends, laughter, and Love.  Always Love.