Sunday: The Lord’s Day?

Praying in the dark with Jesus

“In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.” — Mark 1.35 (NRSV)

Here I am Lord, it is Sunday morning and still dark. I slept well but am fully awake. I am on the patio. The candle is lit and coffee, again. I feel the morning cool breeze holding the humidity at bay, for now. The heat will come. But for now, I enjoy the quietness of this early morn. And wonder, how did Jesus spend his Sundays? After all, it was a regular day of ordinary work.

Photo by Brian Wegman 🎃 on Unsplash

There were no religious requirements or rest commands for Sunday in the Torah. The Temple was open daily for sacrifices and prayers. There were no recorded feasts, fasts, or holy days associated with Sunday in the Jewish calendar. And for Jews who became Christians, gathering on Sunday as people of the resurrected Christ, would have been a new practice (Mk 16.2).

For us church folks, Sunday is the Lord’s Day.
I do wonder to what extent?

· Is it just a matter of attending an event called worship?

What must I do to intentionally focus on Sunday as the Lord’s Day?

· How will I spend the day?

· Will the summer recreation really re-create me in body and spirit?

· How will I bless, and enjoy the family whom God has given me?

· Will I rest my body, slow down and feel my heart and soul?

· For the millions of people to whom Sunday is just another day, I pray.

Since it remains the Lord’s day as a Christ follower, I do not want to play at worship and worship play.

The darkness is fading now.

But I wonder, for who and what did Jesus pray for a great while before day?

Did he pray for. . .

Current events? His own strength and protection? His father’s will? The disciple's faith, confusion, and unity? His fellow Israelites to see him as the Son of God, the Messiah of promise? The kingdom mission? Justice? The poor and hungry?

And then, leave it to Simon (Peter) to go looking for Jesus in the dark. And he found him saying, “Everyone is looking for you.” Jesus’ response, “Let’s go on to neighboring towns, so that I proclaim the message there also, for that is what I came out to do (Mk 1.37-39).

On this Lord’s Day, early in the morning, there is plenty to pray about.
Lord, it is light now in my corner of the universe.
My coffee is cold. It’s still quiet. And I am listening.
Give me wisdom for how I spend this day.

It is the Lord’s Day!