Exodus 20:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Stay in the house of the Lord, attend communal worship, and receive the Holy Body and Blood of Christ with sincere faith and an untainted conscience. Establish the groundwork for the most virtuous life, rejuvenating your spirit in readiness to receive the eternal blessings that await, for which you should not become overly attached to worldly matters on other days. Rather, on the Lord's Day, abstain from all but the essentials, fostering continuous communion with the Lord. In doing so, you will navigate life in a manner that steers clear of sin, uphold the commandments, quench the fires of passion, and release the weight of sin (Exodus 12:16; Jeremiah 17:24; Nehemiah 13:15; Matthew 12:2; John 5:10), thereby sanctifying the Sabbath through a commitment to refraining from transgression. In the same manner, observe the other significant feasts decreed by the Church, adhering to the aforementioned guidance and warnings as you honor them.

Since God created the heavens and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh, He made that day holy, inviting all to cease their labors in order to worship and praise Him, acknowledging the gifts received through His creation. Furthermore, when He liberated the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, He commanded Moses to institute the Passover feast, and throughout the Old Testament, other significant days are also recognized. However, as Christians, we observe Sunday in place of the Sabbath, as it signifies the day when our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead, completing the restoration of the world and delivering humanity from sin. On this day, we are to set aside our work to engage in prayer and spiritual practices, reflecting on God's blessings. Servants and laborers are also called to refrain from work, focusing instead on righteous actions and glorifying God through prayer. In accordance with this commandment, we are also obliged to observe other holy days that the Church designates, including the major feasts such as Christmas, the Circumcision, Epiphany, Purification, Resurrection, and Ascension, along with commemorations of the Virgin Mary, the Apostles, Martyrs, and other Saints. The Sixth Ecumenical Council outlines the observance of Sunday in its 91st rule. The transition from Sabbath to Sunday honors Christ as the Lord of the Sabbath, affirming the Scriptural declaration, "For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:8). Therefore, since Christ reigns over the Sabbath, it is fitting to observe Sunday instead, particularly because Christ's resurrection on this day marks the granting of eternal salvation and the renewal of all creation.

Moreover, there are those who, driven by a deep thirst for material gain, choose to work during feast days, or compel others to work. Some partake in games, dances, celebrations, and other inappropriate activities during these holy times. Individuals educated in literacy may lack the inclination to read holy texts on feast days. Furthermore, pastors and church leaders may neglect their duty to instruct the faithful on these occasions. There are also those who withhold even a small portion of their wealth for charitable collections that occur during the feasts, as noted by the Apostle Paul (1 Cor. 16).

It is important to reflect on the true meaning of these sacred days, ensuring that they are not turned into occasions for indulgence or distraction, but rather seen as opportunities for spiritual renewal and devotion.

This is why our Almighty God prohibited any work that obstructs the devoted worship of Him on the Sabbath.

Given this context, what can we say about the words presented in the Gospel? Christ will defend His disciples, who prepared sacrifices on the Sabbath against the opinion of the Pharisees, using the examples of David and the ancient Jewish priests who performed the rituals of sacrifice, cleansing, and washing according to the traditional practices on the Sabbath: He will vindicate them, for such actions on the Sabbath were not condemned by the law.

To grasp the essence and purpose of the ancient commandment regarding the Sabbath, it is important to consider its foundation and intent. God, after creating the world in six days and appointing humanity as its stewards, mandated that the seventh day be sanctified in honor of the Most High, who created all things on that day. However, due to the corruption of human morality, this original ordinance was neglected; mankind, created in the likeness of God, forgot the true God, leading to the proliferation of malice and idolatry, a state in which many nations still find themselves today. Yet God, in His mercy, separated His people Israel from others and renewed this law concerning the observance of the Sabbath, ensuring that the knowledge of the one true God would be upheld among them and preserved throughout the ages.

Furthermore, the commandment that instructs us to work for six days serves as a reminder that all our time comes from God. It urges us to recognize that, having lost the abundance of our original state, we must toil daily for our sustenance, and it inspires us to understand that our success in labor derives solely from God’s benevolence. Thus, it is our duty to serve Him with a sincere heart throughout our lives.

By the grace of the Gospel, enlightened Christians, in light of this law, feel a strong obligation to observe and keep holy the seventh day of the week, or Sunday, in place of the former Jewish Sabbath, for it is on this day that Jesus Christ, our Savior, rose from the dead. Since that pivotal resurrection, it has been established by the Orthodox Church that on Sundays, all true Christians should set aside their regular work, cares, and distractions to gather in one place for the special worship of their Creator and God, to acknowledge His sovereignty, wisdom, justice, and goodness; to offer praise and thanksgiving for the blessings He bestows; to seek the assistance they require; and to grow in understanding of the Law and instruction in Christian virtues.

The seventh day ordained by the Law should be observed by all, with exceptions only for those engaged in necessary work. The sanctification of this day is instructed for children, so they learn their duties and reverence for God; for servants, to remind them of the sovereign Lord in heaven; and for livestock, so they may rest unless life's necessities dictate otherwise, allowing all creation to partake in the blessings of their Creator.

Those who fail to honor the prescribed holiness of the Sabbath do so at their own detriment. First, they diminish their standing according to Christian principles; second, they engage in activities contrary to Christian values. This includes those who neglect attending sacred places where God is worshipped through the reading and singing of established prayers, the administration of sacraments, and the teaching of His Law and Word. Likewise, those who devote the Sabbath to idleness or inappropriate leisure, in pursuits that do not reflect the sanctity of the day or the essence of the Christian faith, diminish its significance.

The Scriptures provide two main reasons for the Sabbath's institution. First, "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day: therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it" (Exodus 20:11). This indicates that God sanctified the Sabbath right after creation, intended for all humanity, not exclusively for the Jewish people, making this commandment both universal and eternal.

The second purpose for Sabbath observance was the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Moses reminded the people: “Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the sabbath day” (Deuteronomy 5:15). While this reason was particularly significant for the Jews, the apostles perceived it as a foreshadowing of Christ's deliverance of humanity from sin and death through His own sacrifice. The resurrection, which occurred on the day following the Sabbath, transformed the observance into a celebration of resurrection, so that the apostles designated the first day of the week as the Lord’s Day.

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Pharisees imposed strict restrictions on Sabbath observance, even opposing His healing acts. Conversely, many Christians today observe the Lord’s Day with little distinction from everyday activities, failing to honor its purpose appropriately.

On Sundays and holy days, we ought to set aside our secular pursuits. Judges should refrain from court duties, teachers from their classes, merchants from trade, artisans from their labor, and farmers from tending to their fields. Instead, we should dedicate ourselves to sacred and God-pleasing endeavors.

The foremost among these is prayer, particularly communal worship. Neglecting church attendance and failing to offer prayers to God and express gratitude for His blessings constitutes a grave sin. On Sundays and feast days, we are called to worship in God’s house. The early Christians exemplified this dedication by gathering for worship, even when faced with persecution.

An inspiring account from that era tells of Emperor Valentus, who commanded the execution of Christians gathered for worship. Despite warnings, many still congregated, driven by their faith. One woman, hurrying to the assembly with her infant, even expressed her desire to join the others in martyrdom, highlighting the zeal of those early believers to worship.

Additionally, on sacred days, we should engage in acts of kindness—supporting the needy, comforting the sorrowful, serving the ill, and visiting prisoners. Early Christians were known for their compassionate efforts towards the sick and imprisoned, following the example of saints like Martha, who devoted herself to aiding the suffering.

Similarly, Isaiah, a devoted Christian, established a hospice and provided meals for the poor on both weekdays and Sabbaths, showcasing exemplary charity. This standard of charity is a worthy goal for us today, prompting us to offer even small donations to the less fortunate on Sundays and feast days as an acceptable sacrifice to God.

After attending worship services, we should return home to share a meal with our families and reflect on the Gospel readings from church, discussing the teachings received from our spiritual leaders or engaging with sacred texts. St. John of the Ladder reminds us that reading the lives of the saints can inspire greater humility and virtue, leading us to peaceful rest and rejuvenation for our daily endeavors.

This is how we are called to observe Sundays and feast days; yet, we often fall short. While we may refrain from worldly tasks, we frequently succumb to indulgence in entertainment and excess during these holy times. It is a lamentable reality that we can turn our observance of God-given holidays into opportunities for surrender to our base desires instead of honoring Him.

Moreover, we have profound reasons to express our gratitude to God. We receive countless blessings from Him; everything we own, everything we rely upon for our well-being and salvation is a manifestation of His grace towards us. It is entirely fitting that we should extol God's virtues and worship Him. His nature is deserving of our praise, and it is always right to honor Him. Reflecting on His magnificent attributes and contemplating His unfathomable creation leads us to naturally proclaim: Great are You, O Lord, and wonderful are Your works. No single word can fully encompass the magnificence of Your deeds (as noted in the sequence of Holy Baptism). You are worthy of constant adoration and the reverent hymns sung in Your honor (as exemplified in the evening song ‘Silent Light’). Magnificent are Your creations, O Lord, for in them, all wisdom abounds (Psalm 103:24). Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; the earth is filled with His glory (Isaiah 6:3).

The angels in Heaven tirelessly sing praises to God, offering their worship without ceasing. For all eternity, they will continue to do so, as their joy is found in this devotion. Our future joy, dear listeners, will also be rooted in this same worship. Therefore, it is perplexing that some of us feel disinclined to visit the Lord God in His house to seek Him, to offer thanks, and to present our praises. Merely praying at home or wherever we might be is insufficient. It is essential that we come to the House of God on designated days, particularly during holy festivals. God Himself has set aside these occasions to welcome us and receive our prayers, expressions of gratitude, and our worship. Thus, neglecting to attend God's church, especially on holy days, not only reflects a disregard for His command but constitutes a true sin against His holiness.

Christian friends! In contrast, earthly dignitaries are often moved by our gestures of goodwill and are more open to our petitions presented in their domains. Shall we not expect the Almighty God to extend His grace and mercy to us in return for our visits to His Holy Church, where we bring our requests, thanksgivings, and praises? Amen.