Catholic Kernel of Truth - Holy Rest Keeps Us Whole : The Third Commandment

So here’s a question for you: When was the last time you really, truly, rested?

I don’t mean just crashing on the couch scrolling through your phone—I mean soul-deep rest. The kind that fills you up and reconnects you with who you are… and whose you are.

God made you in His image. You were literally handcrafted to reflect Him—His goodness, His creativity, and yes, even His rhythm of work and rest. And He didn’t just suggest this rhythm to us—He modeled it. God worked for six days, creating everything, and then on the seventh day… He rested. Not because He was tired, but because He wanted to show us how to live in balance.

That brings us to Exodus 20, where God says:

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy”

It’s not because God needs us to rest. It’s because we need to rest. Jesus even said, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.” So it’s a gift. A holy, weekly invitation to pause and breathe.

Now, if you’re Catholic, you know that this isn’t just a day to nap. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that Sunday is now the fulfillment of the Sabbath—because Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday. It’s a day that symbolizes the new creation, the new beginning that Jesus gives us. This is why it’s called the Lord’s Day.

Going to Mass on Sunday—or Saturday evening—is not optional. It’s a holy day of obligation. That might sound strict, but think about it, God is giving you one day a week to rest, worship, and reconnect.

CCC 2180 says: The faithful are bound to participate in the Mass. And choosing not to, without a serious reason, is actually a grave sin. That’s how important it is.

And Sunday isn’t just about Mass—it’s also about rest. True, sacred rest. The Catechism says we should refrain from unnecessary work, unless it's for our family’s needs or essential services. So if you’re a nurse or first responder or someone providing for your family—you’re not being disobedient by working. But God still invites you to make space for rest, for worship, for renewal.

And let’s be honest—rest doesn’t always come naturally in today’s hustle culture. We pride ourselves on being busy. We wear exhaustion like a badge of honor. But God’s not impressed by burnout. He’s calling us into freedom.

So, here’s the real question:

What does your Sunday look like?

Do you make space for God? Do you give Him that hour at Mass?

Do you trust Him enough to believe that your to-do list can wait? That He’ll take care of the details if you put Him first?

Because honestly, the Third Commandment isn’t just a rule—it’s a rescue. It’s a holy reminder that you are not a machine. You’re a beloved child of God, and He wants you to be whole, not just productive.

So maybe this week, challenge yourself to truly live out the Sabbath. Go to Mass with your heart open. Turn off your email. Take a walk. Pray. Rest. Laugh. Breathe.

Because when we keep the Sabbath holy… it keeps us whole.

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