Thus the heavens and the earth , and all the host of them , were finished . 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done , and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done . 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it , because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made . Genesis 2 : 1- 3 , NKJV

Some people are workaholics . They seem to thrive in it . Working double shifts seem to be normal for them . I ’ ve heard of families where the husband and the wife don ’ t see each other during the day because both of them are working two shifts . The children get to know their nannies better than their parents , and sometimes the bigger children are left to fend for themselves . Yes , they get good money but sooner of later , their health and relationships suffer . There is stress on both the body and family relationships .

“ Stress is a serious matter . Although some stress may be healthy , too much is dangerous , and in some cases , may be fatal . Stress is caused by an overdose of stimulation , a hectic life , traffic

in large cities , noise , overload at home , at work , at school , or in the personal sphere , etc . It includes the anxiety to fail and the fear not to be able to cope with what confronts us . Consequences nervous mental blockages , aggression , depression , weakened immune system and a host of other medical problems .”

What can we do to protect ourselves from such problems . The doctors recommend that we relax , rest , exercise , and abstain from Al K Hall ( Alcohol ) and Nikki Tin ) Nicotine and other harmful drugs .

However , long before the medical profession talked about the benefits of rest and relaxation , God recommended it already . He is many steps ahead of the doctors . He has not only told us that we should rest but also how we should rest . Our Creator has given us tips that can help us-when we observe them-to function at our best . In addition to daily devotional time when we focus on God , He has given us one entire day per week for reflection , regeneration , and communion with Him . In the Scriptures , this day is called “ Sabbath ”. God ’ s special blessings rests

on this day . THE SABBATH IN THE OLD

TESTAMENT

God installed the Sabbath after creating the world in six days . He made sure that the environment is right for the man he was going to create . He made sure there is everything that man needs to live on . So creation was completed with the Sabbath , and the Sabbath existed before sin came into the world . So Adam and Eve , the representatives of humankind celebrated with God the first Sabbath on earth . God blessed the Sabbath . All the other days were good , but God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it . Genesis 2 : 1- 3 .

In Exodus 20 : 8-11 we read , “ Remember the Sabbath day , to keep it holy . 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work , 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God . In it you shall do no work : you , nor your son , nor your daughter , nor your male servant , nor your female servant , nor your cattle , nor your stranger who is within your gates . 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth , the sea , and all that is in them , and rested the seventh

day . Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it .” The Sabbath ( modern Saturday ) is part of the unique law called the Ten Commandments . The Ten Commandments complete in their comprehensiveness , constitutes God ’ s unchangeable law . The term , “ Remember ” in the Sabbath commandment points back to the creation account . So the Sabbath is known long before the law was written on the two tables of stone by the finger of God . Exodus 16 : 4 , 19-29 , Genesis 2 : 1-3 , 26:5 . God wants all human beings to rest on the Sabbath just as God rested with Adam and Eve after the creation of the world .. Isaiah 56 : 2 ; 58 : 13 , 14 , and 66 : 22-23 .

THE SABBATH IN THE TIME OF JESUS

When Jesus was here on earth , records bear testimony that it was Jesus ’ custom to go to church ( synagogue ) every Sabbath . Luke 4 : 16 . He taught to the people at both Nazareth and Capernaum the Scriptures . In Luke 23 : 50 , after taking Jesus ’ body from the cross and burying him in Joseph ’ s tomb ( Matthew 27 : 57 ) on Friday , they went home to keep the Sabbath . Luke 23 : 54-56

Fr . Jerry M . Orbos , SVD

The story is told about a politician who was delivering a campaign speech before a crowd in a town plaza , boasting about his achievements and his plans . Before long the crowd dissipated , except for three men who stayed until the end . It turned out that the first man was his driver , and the second was his bodyguard . And the third man ? He was the light and sound system man who told the politician : “ Sir , if you are done , let ’ s call it a night and go home .”

Today is Trinity Sunday . The Father , Son and Holy Spirit were there when our lives began ; they are staying throughout our earthly journey , and when we come to life ’ s end . All too often , we forget or even negate their

presence in our lives because we are so engrossed with our own achievements and plans .

In today ’ s Gospel ( Matthew 28 , 16-20 ), Jesus tells His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations , baptizing them in the name of the Father , and of the Son , and of the Holy Spirit . We have a mission . Our life is not about pleasure and vanity . Our life is a mission for something and Someone greater than ourselves . Let God be God . Let man be man .

What have you done , and what are you doing the rest of your life for the Trinity ? Let us give due honor and respect to the Trinity . Let us put ourselves at the service of the Trinity , to be of help to humanity .

I am writing this column from the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France . The Blessed Mother was obedient and humble to the Trinity . Subservience and obedience to God will bring out the best in us and bring about true peace in our lives . The selfish and the proud as well as those who make themselves gods will sooner or later discover the futility of

their vanity and the folly of their ways .

In Fatima , Portugal , one of our fellow pilgrims fell ill , and had to be confined in hospital . It was a clear and loud reminder for all of us that life is short and uncertain . Death can come anytime and anywhere . Let us make sure that the life we are living is not empty , shallow , vain , and uncaring . What good is life if we don ’ t live it right ? What good are our achievements and plans if they are all for ourselves , and not to help others , and give glory to God ?

Nineteen-year-old JM Alipio made us all listen when it was his time to share , telling us of his hopes and plans , and what millennials like him are all about . There is so much to learn from the young . They have issues , yes , but didn ’ t we have issues , too , when we were growing up ? JM warmed our hearts and assured us in more ways than one that life goes on , and that things are not that bad . Very inspiring , this JM .

The morning drive on our way to Salamanca in Spain was foggy and scary . What to do in such a situation ? Slow down and pray . When we encounter fog of any sort in our journey throughout life , let us learn to slow down , and not take risks , and be

extra careful and pray .

God is a God of surprises . Often , in a long and tiresome journey , a beautiful rainbow appears ! Or a breathtaking scenery comes to view . Or we are given a reminder of the Trinity — such as the three doves we saw perched on a church door when we had our group picture taken . Yes , we are not alone as we journey on .

“ And behold , I am with you always until the end of the age ” ( Matthew 28:20 ). It is the presence of God that makes our life meaningful , and our journey worthwhile . Let us not negate or neglect God ’ s presence in the life that we are living , and in the world that we are living in .

Think about this : “ Understanding is deeper than knowing . That is because understanding is more of the heart than of the mind . More than a mind that knows , strive for a heart that understands .” A moment with the Lord : We are not , and we are never , alone because You are always with us , O Father , Son and Holy Spirit . Amen . ( inq . net )