RYM Daily Lenten Moment

Day 11 : 'Rest & Recharge'

The weekend is here again!

It's that time of the week when many of us can relax a little ; unwind from the stresses and strains of our working week ; and spend time with friends and loved ones.

The alarm clock may be set that little bit later; the early morning commute replaced by a more leisurely start to the day; and perhaps we can even take time to digest breakfast!

This is the theory; but is it really the practice?

Life nowadays seems constantly hectic and fast-paced - 7 days a week. It never seems to slow down!

Increasingly we are a culture that feels compelled to fill our diaries with a never-ending, jam-packed set of social engagements and activities - which leave us little time to properly rest and recharge our batteries!

But rest - we must! Time out - we need! (spoken in a Yoda Jedi Master-like way!)

As Catholics though we have our very own Master - who calls us to keep the Sabbath as a holy day of rest and worship!

He recognises our need to rest, recharge and refresh - spiritually and physically - to take time out from work and daily chores!

So tomorrow - the Second Sunday of Lent - perhaps let us consider how we can set aside more time to simply rest in the Lord's presence!

'Come to me all you who labour and are over-burdened and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28)

Paul Murphy

Coordinator of Redemptorist Youth Ministry