God’s action is the model for human action. If God ‘rested and was refreshed’ on the seventh day, man too ought to ‘rest’ and should let others, especially the poor, ‘be refreshed.’ The sabbath brings everyday work to a halt and provides a respite. It is a day of protest against the servitude of work and the worship of money.”

A day of grace and a rest from work -

Just as God ‘rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done,’ human life has a rhythm of work and rest. The institution of the Lord’s Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives.

Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the sames needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm and the elderly.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2172, 2184, 2186

More Catholic Summer Reading selections -

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“O creator past all telling,

you have appointed from the treasures of your wisdom

the hierarchies of angels,

disposing them in wondrous order

above the bright heavens,

and have so beautifully set out all parts of the universe.

You we call the true fount of wisdom

and the noble origin of all things.

Be pleased to shed

on the darkness of mind in which I was born,

The twofold beam of your light

and warmth to dispel my ignorance and sin.

You make eloquent the tongues of children.

Then instruct my speech

and touch my lips with graciousness.

Make me keen to understand, quick to learn,

able to remember;

make me delicate to interpret and ready to speak.

Guide my going in and going forward,

lead home my going forth.

You are true God and true man,

and live for ever and ever.

Amen.”