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.


"Shabbat Sabbath" Prayer Celebration

Focus		Accepting the peace that comes with observing the Sabbath
Materials		Prayer table with candles, Bible, copies of liturgy, music
Reading		Luke 13:10-17
Music		"God Is," "With Hope and Healing," [Meditation Track] Blest Are We CD 7-8; "I Say 'Yes’ Lord/ Digo 'Sí,’ Señor", Blest Are We CD School Edition Grade 6
Preparation		Photocopy liturgies so that each participant has one. Prepare the prayer table. Select readers and help them prepare in advance. Practice your role as leader, or assign that role to a participant. Display the words " Shalom," and "Shabbat." Tell participants that Shalom means peace to you; and Shabbat is the Sabbath observance. "Shabbat Shalom" means Sabbath peace.
Adaptation		Prior to the liturgy, discuss activities that would be appropriate on the Sabbath [e.g., reading, playing games, sharing a family meal, participating in Sunday Mass]. Have each participant select one activity that he/she would be willing to perform on the Sabbath, write it on a slip of paper, and bring it to the Prayer Table just before the Closing Prayer of the Celebration. You could have instrumental music playing during this time.

Blest Are We Music CD, Levels 7-8

Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).

ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36394-9

Blest Are We Audio Cassette, Levels 7-8

Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).

ORDER NUMBER: 0–382–36454-6

Blest Are We Music CD, School Edition Grade 6

Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).

ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-363657-3


Used as a resource for this liturgy, see also

Jesus Did Not Celebrate Christmas—
A Guide for Christians to Jewish Holidays 

Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).

ORDER NUMBER: 0–9709574–0–8