Third Day in Lent- The Third Commanment

"Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy."

How do we keep the sabbath day holy?  Luther tells us it is when we keep God's word "holy and gladly hear and learn it."  Notice that he does not mention Sunday, or any other day of the week, for that matter.  While Sunday continues for Christians to be the primary sabbath day, any day can be for us "sabbath," when we hear and learn God's word.

The devotion asks an additional question.  How do we keep the sabbath as a church community?  Is it just in the way we worship- our songs, liturgy, readings, preaching?  Yes, this is important.  But it is also in the way we welcome one another, especially those visiting who may be different from us and who will not be familiar with the way things are done as they enter.  Will they feel welcome by the community, or will our actions, whether intentional or unintentional, leave the impression they are not welcome?  As the author writes, "A holy sabbath, a kept sabbath, is a welcome table."