This past Monday was Labor Day in the US, and while to most it means a three-day weekend and signals the end of summer and the start of a new school year, I like to think of it liturgically.

No, no—you haven’t missed the declaration of Labor Day as the latest feast day during Vatican III. Even though Labor Day is only part of our cultural calendar (though I still have high hopes), when approached with intention it can offer us a unique invitation to deepen our spiritual journey as we focus on rhythms of labor and rest both in our world and in our everyday lives. After all, even God rested.

Speaking of which, there is, of course, the invitation to rest one day each week, modeled after the Divine’s resting on the seventh day of creation. These regular rhythms of sabbath are a call to cease and feast—a spiritual practice that is both challenging and rewarding in today’s culture.

There are times, though, when ceasing and feasting isn’t enough—at least for one day. Culturally, we refer to these seasons as a vacation or a leave of absence. However, just like a Saturday or Sunday each weekend, with a little intention, these seasons of rest and renewal can become so much more.

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