Aaaahhh, the weekend.  Time to get caught up on all the things there isn’t time to do during the week. What’s that the Gospel said today about keeping holy the Sabbath?  Yeah, I can squeeze in an hour for Mass between items on the to-do list.  Oh no, there is more to the passage… “No work may be done either by you or your son or daughter…”  Ex 20:8  What?  And how will the laundry get done and the lawn mowed?
     Many people have the day off work on Sunday, but before the union contract or labor laws came the “contract” (covenant) God made with his people and the “laws” (Ten Commandments) He gave to Moses to share with his people.  “…the Lord made the heavens and the earth…but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.” Ex 20:11  Maybe making it holy means more than just putting in our hour at church.  Maybe making it holy means making Mass a priority and just not something we do if nothing else interferes. Maybe it means reading the Gospel before Mass so we are better prepared to hear and understand it.
    The Catechism also tells us: ... man too ought to "rest" and should let others, especially the poor, "be refreshed”. -2172
Maybe making it holy and refreshing others means having a leisurely dinner, taking the time to talk and listen to family.  Maybe refreshing others means taking a few minutes to make an overdue phone call to a relative or friend.
    Sure, there are some things that have to be done on Sunday.  Some jobs require it.  But can we view Sunday as the Catechism says:  “The sabbath brings everyday work to a halt and provides a respite.” -2172  
    Can we strive during the last four Sundays of Lent to keep the Sabbath holy?