Background Notes

Since Old Testament times, the Sabbath has been observed as a day of rest. "[The Sabbath] is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day God rested." [Exodus 31:17]

Today, Jews celebrate the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Christians celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday. It was the Sabbath ritual of Kiddush along with the blessing of bread and wine at meals, that some scholars believe led to the Last Supper ritual, and the origin of the Eucharist. At each grade level, these liturgies celebrate the Sabbath as a special day.

It is time for us to reconnect with the concept of a restful Sunday. Pope John Paul II emphasized the sacredness of Sundays in his 1998 letter, The Day of the Lord. "Its religious sense certainly does not conflict with human values, which make Sunday a time of rest, of enjoyment of nature and of more social relations."

See Liturgical Calendar–Seasons–Ordinary Time for additional background information and prayer.


"Sabbath Thanks" Prayer Celebration

Focus		Giving thanks to God for the gift of the Sabbath rest.
Materials		Prayer table with 2 candles, Bible, legal size paper, crayons or markers, ConTact paper or a laminating machine, copies of liturgy, and music.
Reading		Exodus 20:8–11
Music		"You Have Put On Christ," Blest Are We Music CD 2; "Let Your Light Shine," Julie Howard (WLP Publications)
Preparation		If you want to include an activity making "Sunday" placemats, have 11" x 17" paper for children to draw and color pictures reminding them of God’s creation. Cover the placemats with ConTact paper or laminate them before the liturgy. You can display them around the prayer table during the liturgy. Photocopy liturgies so that each child has one. You could be the leader of the prayer celebration. Prepare the prayer table, but do not light the 2 candles.
Adaptation		Following the liturgy, paraphrase Exodus 20:8-11 for the children. Ask them to share some ways they can remember God as Creator. How can they help take care of God’s creation? How can they make Sunday a special day in their house?
Additional Materials		"You Have Put On Christ" Blest Are We Music CD 2 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36653-0 Blest Are We Song Book Words and melody for children; contains music for levels 1-8 ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 Blest Are We Accompaniment Book Contains accompaniment music for levels 1-8 ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2