Rest and Celebration

And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.

– Genesis 2:2-3

These are the appointed festivals of the Lord, the holy convocations, which you shall celebrate at the time appointed for them. – Leviticus 23:4 (NRSVCE)

We live in a busy world.

We have to make it to that class or this meeting, go to this family event, drop one kid off at practice, go watch another’s band concert, and get that work presentation done before Monday, all while trying to make sure we get the laundry done, get food made, and keep the house clean…and so on and so forth.

So, it’s no surprise our culture naturally assumes that all the “rules” of Catholicism merely add to the never-ending “To Do” list.

But while the rules and following God’s commandments are part of it, they’re not the foundation. The world sees the rules and gives the verdict of “miserable” without digging deeper to the why behind the rules. But the saints—those who lived Catholicism to the fullest—weren’t miserable; they were the happiest people who ever lived, because they knew the point.

God’s love for us, and our love for Him in response.

God doesn’t want us to be miserable. He loves us. What other than Catholicism mandates rest so we can be refreshed and rejuvenated? And did you know that the root of the word “holiday” is “holy day” because it’s Catholicism that’s given us so many of our holiday’s?

Yes, we’re expected to put in the work and follow God’s commandments, but God is also a loving Father Who doesn’t expect us to burn ourselves out. He wants us to have the rest we need and to be able to celebrate and enjoy life.

So maybe this Sunday, try to take some time to rest and celebrate the good news of the gospel. Because Catholicism truly is the best way to live.

© Isabelle Wood 2025

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