Sabbath

I didn’t get to see Andy this weekend, but I did get to spend a lot of time in my advisor’s lab, a small windowless room in the basement of the OI. I’ve been doing various data entry type things on the Ashkelon excavation database. The room also contains a DNA lab. This is enclosed by a lumber framework covered with semi-opaque plastic, through which can be seen the dim outlines of a lot of incomprehensible equipment. Everyone who works down there had to have DNA samples taken in case (I don’t know how this would happen) our DNA somehow drifted in with the ancient stuff. So I guess if I ever want to have myself cloned I can find the sample down there somewhere. I really don’t, though.
Someday, I would like to start treating Sunday as the Sabbath day and not working on that day, but so far it hasn’t happened. In fact, I kind of wish we as a society still had a day of rest, doesn’t matter which day of the week it would be, but just a day when people are supposed to rest, without the option of catching up on work or housework or roaming around the mall. One thing that is really special to me about Christmas is that it is pretty much the only day of the year when everything shuts down, the streets are quiet, everyone is at home relaxing and not busying themselves with the millions of things we busy ourselves with. It might be nice if we had a day like that every week, which respected our need (which we usually don’t respect for ourselves) to have time just to think and reflect and rest. Going back to the old practice of everything shutting down on Sundays probably wouldn’t be that great an idea, but I would like to start honoring the Sabbath myself–I do take time off during the week, but the structure of one day per week (either the day or sunset to sunrise, whichever) is cool in that it provides a structure for the week, and begins the week with worship and rest, which seems like a good way to start a week.

10 Responses to “Sabbath”

  1. jrau says:

    I knew a couple people in college who never did any homework or studying on Sunday, even when they had tests on Monday morning. It seemed to work quite well for them actually. I always wished I had the discipline to make Sunday a true day of rest, but I would generally procrastinate with my homework and studies and end up having to study on Sunday. A number of people in the church community I grew up in wouldn’t even watch television on Sundays (although they didn’t have a problem taping a show on Sunday so they could watch it later… somehow that always felt like cheating, but what do I know).
    But in all seriousness, I truly wish that Sunday were a more restful, worshipful day than it usually is. Hmmm, that sounds like a New Year’s resolution in the making… think it’s too late to make one more resolution?

  2. pcg says:

    It’s never too late! (BTW, I never studied on Sunday either, but I never thought to blame it on the Sabbath. 😉
    Seriously, one of the things we’re looking forward to after we move is living in a more secluded area. The closest mall is one hour away. The major activities around our place will be golf, fishing, hiking, and horseback riding. All in all, not stressful activities.
    The reason that’s important is that I’ve found I will NOT rest unless I absolutely force myself to do so. I’m hoping I’ll get in the habit of resting to the point where it comes a little more naturally (and I don’t feel quite so guilty that I’m not working).

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