Sabbathism
Resting is a process
When we’re not exhausted
So that sleep is something like
Unconsciousness
(we might as well have fainted)
Spiritual rest, more so
A process, and there are
Some truly mortal things
We can do
Do you have a favorite place?
Something you like to drink
That will enhance
(not abrogate) the experience?
Like violins singing beneath
The piano solo,
Can you wear something comfortable
Or comfortably?
And here it is,
Will you give yourself some time?
By doctrine, it’s a whole day
But take what you will give
Half a day, an hour
Twenty minutes, five
Do you need a prescription?
Get someone to write you one
Better yet, write it
Yourself
Read something, then and there
Write something
Pray something
Or do next to nothing
But be present
In the moment, as de Caussade
Has recommended
Think things
Feel things through
Decide something, if you must
Though you don’t have to
And it might be better
If you don’t
Afterward,
Reach out to someone else
Especially, if you took help
To make sabbath happen
Didn’t I mention getting help?
Well, feel free
Always feel free
C L Couch
(The Sacrament of the Present Moment by Jean-Pierre de Caussade)
Photo by Matthew Angus on Unsplash
Devotion in prayer.
clcouch123 
July 31, 2020 at 6:18 pm
What a welcome poem for this day! Thanks…
August 1, 2020 at 2:55 am
You’re welcome, and thank you!
July 31, 2020 at 9:32 pm
Very eloquent and meditative call to meditation, Christopher. I agree we should all take time out to calm ourselves and reflect. My particular method is following the Universalis app on my iPad. It offers a daily Lectio Divina, spiritual reading and the office of readings/Christian prayer. Lauds/Terce/Sext/None//Evening/Night, in accordance with the rites of the Catholic Church. But whatever turns you on.
August 1, 2020 at 3:00 am
I’ve taken workshops on Lectio Divina and still don’t think I have it right. Your app that lets you follow the Hours sounds inviting. Not for the first time, I’m thinking I should get a smartphone and get into this century.
Thank you for your comment about the poem, Len!
August 2, 2020 at 5:02 pm
Beautiful poem!! Shabbat/the Sabbath (in Judaism) starts at Friday sundown and ends on Saturday sundown. On Friday evening we welcome in the peace, divinity and light of Shabbat by lighting the candles and saying the blessing over them.
August 3, 2020 at 4:36 am
Thank you for your reaction to the poem! Thank you for sharing details about Shabbat, which I’m always wanting to learn more about.
August 3, 2020 at 2:43 pm
I’ll write about it!
August 3, 2020 at 5:29 pm
That would be great! Thank you.