Work? Cook? Play? Study? Eat? Hobby? Shop? Every book and every author I read offered different ideas of what sabbath might, can, or should be. One author wisely mentioned the two different ways that the Sabbath is commanded in the Old Testament. In Exodus we are commanded to remember the Sabbath, but in Deuteronomy, we are commanded to observe the Sabbath…hmm. This author suggests it fits well in the pattern of our week - meaning that we remember the Sabbath on Mon, Tue, Wed following Sunday (Sabbath), while on Thu, Fri, Sat we prepare for the next Sabbath. Of course this opens up the entire discussion of what day is the Sabbath, and more to the point from what time to what time comprises Sabbath? We will leave this discussion for another time.
On the Camino, time has a different meaning entirely. One orients their day around the rising of the sun because it is best to take advantage of the early cool morning hours to begin the journey. Breakfast is taken when we end our quiet time (usually about 60-90 minutes into our walk). Lunch is determined by acclamation - its time for a rest and “man, am I hungry!” - we have no set hours for these activities. Really, watches and clocks only have meaning in making sure we eat dinner within the timeframe that fits the restaurants along the Camino.
Having said that, our first Sabbath has come upon us both quickly and after what seemed like forever. I cant believe we are already a week into the Camino. During the week, I kept trying to determine how many more days till our first Sabbath.
I’m completely unsure what Sabbath will look like as we continue our Camino. Will the next Sabbath be like this one, or will it look different? With the first Sabbath “under our belt” will we look back in remembrance of it and then begin to look forward to the next Sabbath? I don't know that either.
One thing is for sure…in the Hebrew sense of the word “keep it holy” means to make it separate…different…dedicated to God. What does that mean?
All I can say right now is that intentional break from routine, without music, video, shopping, cooking, doing, or cleaning is strange. Perhaps it will become a reminder that God is God-and I am not, and that this Sabbath time is an opportunity to rest in God’s completeness, rest in the efficacy of Christ’s redemption, rest in the comfort, in the peace, in the joy of the Holy Spirit…
Good Sabbath my friends!