The healing value of rest

07Sep
In another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come and stand here.’ He got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?’ After looking around at all of them, he said to him, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
-Luke 6:6-11


Labor Day is a good moment to consider the healing value of rest. This is a day to celebrate American workers - and perhaps to consider who we are. We are white collar and blue collar, gig workers, homemakers, night laborers, sales people, and prison laborers. We are executives responsible for the wellbeing of their employees, teachers and learners, farmers, medical professionals, movers, builders and sanitation workers. And not all will have the gift of Labor Day to celebrate the good work we all hope to do in our world. 


I wonder what might be different for us if we considered Labor Day as a kind of Sabbath. Sabbath is a time to cease from work and rest in God’s mercy, as illustrated in the story from St. Luke. And perhaps it is time set aside for gratitude. I am thankful for meaningful work. I am thankful for those people who sustain my life that I never see. I pray for those who are looking for work, who are underemployed, or those who have to do several jobs to keep their families housed and fed. 


May this Labor Day truly be a Sabbath where we celebrate what is good, offer gratitude for all those who make our lives better through their labor, and rest in the the gracious mercy of our God. 


Musical Reflection - Your Labor is Not in Vain - The Porter's Gate


Gracious God, I thank you for meaningful work. I pray for those who need rest and refreshment today. And I ask you to keep me focused on doing good and cherishing all life. Amen.

Rest

Posted by Maria Elliott

Maria Elliott has been Trinity since 1994, first as a parishioner and then for sixteen years establishing the office of stewardship and development, and currently as the Director of Pastoral Care and Spiritual Life. 

WIth a degree in Music and Business from Drake University in her native state of Iowa, Maria went first to New York to work for a concert artist management and then for the Arts department at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.  At the Cathedral, Maria was confirmed, met and married her husband, The Reverend Michael Kuhn, and began an accidental career in the Episcopal Church. She has served on the Diocesan Stewardship Committee, the boards of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship and the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes, as a Stephen Minister, and currently Education for Ministry Mentor.

Maria’s interests include playing the oboe in the New Orleans Civic Symphony and using the Narrative Enneagram as a spiritual tool. Her daughters, Hallie Wilkins and Sophie Bedaña are Trinity School alumni. 

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