Entering into Sabbath with an Intentional Meal
The Missio Dei blog is intended to provide space for a diverse array of voices, stories, and experiences from within and around our community. While we celebrate the ongoing journey of each beloved member of our community and contributor to our blog, the views expressed here do not necessarily reflection the positions, beliefs, or views of Missio Dei as an organization.
By Haley Burke
After all of His work in creating the world, God rested on the seventh day, blessing it and declaring it holy. Even in the wilderness, God invited the Israelites to rest on the seventh day, providing enough on the sixth day to allow them to do so. And because we have hope in Jesus’ resurrection, we get to have hope in the future rest, when we will be free from the toil of life. We get to experience some of that goodness through rest on the seventh day.
It can be hard to break from the broken rhythms of the week, of the non-stop school/work/to-do lists, and transition into resting in His presence on that day set apart as holy, so it is helpful to have a transition time into this, some ritual, some celebration: a dinner.
In Jewish culture, it is customary to observe Shabbat (Sabbath) from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday, and the time of rest starts out with a dinner full of traditional prayers and practices to celebrate the end of the workweek and the beginning of the day of rest. Though we don’t observe in the same way, I love the intention of welcoming the Sabbath day by gathering around a table.
A dinner can be a place to settle—Jesus so often joined his followers around a table where they shared a meal. There was no hurry, but rather nourishment and presence. Welcoming people to your table the night before you intend to Sabbath can create a space to be still, to pray, to eat, and to become little resting places of God’s presence to those at our table.
Some structure and specific elements can be helpful in establishing a restful mindset throughout the dinner, so here is a guide to use, in case you need one:
1. Read before you start dinner, as a reminder of why you’re having a meal like this:
Genesis 2:1-3
Matthew 11:28-30
2. Pray as you light a candle
(Adapted from Psalm 69 in “Psalms for Praying”):
Jesus, you are the light of the world,
And you ask us to join you in being light to those around us.
As we gather at your table,
forgive all that separates us from You,
that we might be made whole.
Let us see on this holy day, with the heart’s eye;
Let us hear through the heart’s ear.
Give us the sensitivity to hear your Word in the quiet created,
and the courage to speak it.
May this home become a house of prayer,
that others might come to bask in your Presence within it.
May those who have been oppressed and persecuted
come and find safety and solace
within its doors.
May they and we find rest here, as we begin this Sabbath.
Amen
3. Break bread, drink wine
Jesus offered his body and blood so that we could be made whole. Take communion to commemorate this as you enter into a Sabbath. May you dwell in complete wholeness on this seventh day.
Have one person start by breaking the bread and offering to the person next to them, saying, “this is Christ’s body broken for you,” and allowing them to dip it into a glass or bowl of wine or grape juice, saying, “this is Christ’s blood poured out for you.” Then continue around the table, each person being allowed a chance to offer the bread and wine, and to receive it.
4. Eat!
5. Dig Deeper
Reflection question for the table: What is something you can do tomorrow that can help you to trust and rest in God?
6. Blessing to end the meal:
By Peter Greig:
May this day bring Sabbath rest to our hearts and home.
May God’s image in us be restored,
And our imagination of God be re-storied.
May the gravity of material things be lightened, and the relativity of time slow down.
May we know grace to embrace our own finite smallness in the arms of God’s infinite greatness.
May God’s Word feed us and His Spirit lead us into the week and life to come.
If you’d like to contribute material for the Missio blog, reach out to Director of Worship and Arts David Burchfield at david@missiodeislc.com.