Sunday, May 9, 1999
Sunday, May 9, 1999
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present
your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Our great-grandfathers called it the Holy Sabbath;
We begin the week--very weak. I like the way Paul put it in his letter to the Romans. He said at
one point, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your
bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may
discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect." Now, what is Paul
saying in these words? Just this, I think: That God has created each one of us--body, mind, and
spirit--for God's service in the world. When we understand ourselves in this way and consecrate
ourselves to that end, we find our greatest fulfillment and our deepest joy.
Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA
(Romans 12:1
NRSV)
Sunday, unfortunately, is not the beginning of the week for most of us but rather the end of the
week. It is not the first day of the week, but rather the last day of the weekend. It is not the day
we give our best to God, but rather our leftovers. What this means, is this: That Sunday is no
longer the day when we consecrate ourselves to God for a new week that lies ahead, but rather
the day when we squeeze every possible ounce of pleasure out of a fading weekend.
Our grandfathers, the Sabbath;
Our fathers, Sunday;
Today, we call it the weekend.
Prayer: Loving God, move me to worship you, instead of just attending another event in
my busy week. Amen.
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