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.


"The Many Blessings of the Sabbath" Prayer Celebration

Focus		Recognizing the many blessings that come from observing the Sabbath
Materials		Prayer table with 2 candles, Bible, copies of liturgy, and music. Needed If using "Adaptations," Bibles for each participant.
Reading		Exodus 20:8–11
Music		"Hand of God," Blest Are We Music CD 5; "All You Works of God," Marty Haugen (GIA Publications)
Preparation		Photocopy liturgies so that each participant has one. Prepare the prayer table, but do not light the 2 candles ahead of time. Select six readers and help them prepare in advance. Practice your role as leader.
Adaptation		Have participants work in small groups using their bibles. Assign one of the following to each group: Mark 1:21, Luke 4:16-20, and Acts 13:27; 15:21. After reading the verses, each group should be able to relate what is described in the verses, and identify some practices in the synagogue during Jesus’ time (e.g., reading of Scripture—the five books of Moses, and the Prophets every week; preaching). Then, have the groups share how these practices compare with current church practices. If they do not include the Eucharist, offer that as an additional blessing.
Additional Materials		"Hand of God" Blest Are We Music CD 5 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36656-5 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