Remember that you keep holy the Sabbath
Day." (Ex 20:8)
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| No Target on Sunday? |
A couple of
years ago, I wanted to make a thorough confession and searched for an
examination of conscience that would help me reflect on my sins, words,
actions, and omissions before I received the sacrament of confession. I found an in-depth examination from the 1960s. Times have changed in the 50 years since it was written. Still, the Truth is the Truth, no matter the time.
One of the reflection questions on the 3rd commandment caught my eye, "Did you do any shopping on the Sabbath?" I always shopped on Sundays. I wondered what keeping the Sabbath holy asked of me? I thought it was okay to go to church on Sunday for a long time. Was I keeping the Sabbath holy? I decided to try not shopping on Sundays. I have gone grocery shopping occasionally on Sundays in the last several years, but you'll only see me at Target, Kohls, or a shopping mall-- Monday through Saturday.
It may seem insignificant, but I have liked doing a little something more for God on
Sundays. It's a small thing to do each week. It wasn't difficult; I don't think anyone
in my family even noticed. When I see
how busy families are and how over-scheduled, I wonder if God was thinking about this moment in time. As it turned out, I wasn't doing something little for God. He was doing something big for me. I'm so thankful to have a more rested, prayerful Sunday. Couldn't we all use a day of rest each week? The
Lord knows we need it. One of the reflection questions on the 3rd commandment caught my eye, "Did you do any shopping on the Sabbath?" I always shopped on Sundays. I wondered what keeping the Sabbath holy asked of me? I thought it was okay to go to church on Sunday for a long time. Was I keeping the Sabbath holy? I decided to try not shopping on Sundays. I have gone grocery shopping occasionally on Sundays in the last several years, but you'll only see me at Target, Kohls, or a shopping mall-- Monday through Saturday.
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