Fifth Sunday
As our Lenten journey enters its final days, we see the city of Jerusalem in the distance and we know what is coming soon. Like Peter, we may feel the impulse to avoid what lies ahead (Matthew 16:22), but we know it can’t be avoided. Jesus is resolute. He invites us to be the same.
But before we continue our journey, today is Sunday, another “mini-Easter” break in our 40 day fast of meditation, repentance, and remembrance. On Sundays we are reminded that the journey to the cross does not end at the cross, and we rejoice in that truth with all that we are.
On Sundays, as is appropriate and biblical, we are also invited to cease our laboring. It is a “Sabbath rest for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9), a time of refreshing in the presence of the one who loves us most. But we don’t always enter into that rest, if we’re honest. We may find it hard to embrace at any time of year, but perhaps it’s even a bit harder during Lent. Our desire to be resolute and committed can be hard to switch off and put aside. In fact, if we’re not careful, Sabbath-keeping can become the very last thing it was meant to be: a burden.
In her article, “Reclaiming Sabbath Keeping: Sabbath Celebration” writer and teacher K.C. Ireton wrestles with her understanding of Sabbath rest, realizing that God is inviting her to expand her view of this amazing gift. And it’s the idea of “gift” she first has to embrace:
“I often act like Sabbath is a reward for a week of hard work, the day I get to take a nap in the middle of the day because I’m not allowed to work anyway, and dang it, I’ve earned that nap!”
And from there she allows herself to move beyond a “base-level” understanding of what Sabbath really is:
“But that’s not what Sabbath is about, not really. No work and a nap are probably a good start, but Sabbath is so much more. Sabbath is a way of being in the world on days other than Sunday. Sabbath is margin and gift and joy. Sabbath is soaking myself—or rather, letting myself be soaked—in the unmerited, unmeritable grace of God.”
Sabbath is soaking ourselves—or, rather, letting ourselves be soaked—in the unmerited, unmeritable grace of God. That is a good truth to embrace during Lent, one which, if we let it sink in deep, will impact our experience of Sabbath at any season of the calendar.
It is also a good truth to embrace in light of the past year. In many years, so many of us have been in a “forced Sabbath” during these troubling days, and the irony is that times of inactivity or unwanted stillness may be some of the hardest in which to find true Sabbath rest. Another unfortunate reality is that in times of hardship and despair, when we perhaps need Sabbath rest the most, we are often most likely to ignore its call and gift.
Today, wherever you may find yourself, you are invited to soak in that gift, in the Sabbath rest to which God calls you. Below you will find a few different versions of the song “Be Still, My Soul,” from solo worship to choral to instrumental. For our reflection afterwards the lyrics will provide an opportunity to reflect on your own understanding and experience of Sabbath and rest.
Today you’re invited to hear spoken to you the same invitation Jesus gave to his disciples:
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”—Mark 6:31(NIV)
Be still, my soul! for God will undertake
to guide the future surely as the past.
Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be clear at last.
Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know
the voice that calmed their fury long ago.
Read the rest of the lyrics here.
Prayerful Reflection
Read each verse slowly and prayerfully, perhaps even reading them out loud. Consider the situations each verse speaks to, and the ways we are invited to “be still” and rest in the grace and faithfulness of God. Which of these lyrics speaks most intimately to the cries of your heart, and how might God be calling you to respond in quiet, faithful trust?
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: your best, your heav'nly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: your God does undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hast'ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Finish your time of reflection by reading and reflect on these verse. Let them lead you into prayerful worship and gratitude:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”—Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)