Sabbath

Sorry for the boring blog title. But I'm in a bit of hurry coz I need to click "Publish Post" before it hits midnight California time. =D Korea's been good, and I've been eating some great food and having good time with family. Namdaemun just burnt down so it's kinda crazy here - and it's a really really sad thing to happen.

Today's scripture got me started thinking about the meaning of Sabbath. To me, Sundays mean responsibility. My responsibilities on Sundays drive my weekend schedule, coz I need to prepare for the class and worship. Many times I just get caught up in fulfilling my Sunday checklist. Having big responsibilities at church is burdensome, but today's passage gives a clear purpose in being burdened with these responsibilities - the purpose is to give. And I obviously will not be able to give without receiving.

I'll always know in the back of my head that I've received, and I'm receiving, God's grace - but to translate that into an act of giving can be pretty tough. Last Sunday I went to Onnuri church. As I was walking back to the subway station amongst a mass of people flowing out of the church building, an elderly woman was walking around tapping on people's shoulders and asking if she can use a cellphone. Like everyone else, I just kept my eyes fixed far far away and increased my pace when she was near. When it was my turn, I told her I don't have a phone. She said, "Everyone I asked said the same thing..."

Actually, I was borrowing my mom's cellie for that day. Soon afterwards, something was very unsettling, and I hated myself. All these churchgoing, Sabbath-keeping people ignored a simple request, in a country where everybody has a cellphone. Me... what a selfish coward.

One big lesson I learned: I always need to be prepared to give. With my big responsibilities on Sundays, I'll need to remind myself that keeping the Sabbath is not keeping a checklist - it's giving. Jesus gave by healing, when the religious leaders refused to do anything on the Sabbath days. I'm actually really embarrassed by that event from last Sunday.