Originally uploaded by Walt Jabsco

12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.

The Sabbath command to rest and remember extends to children, servants, animals and strangers within our gates. I would call this “Sabbath hospitality.” The children of Israel had been slaves. Now they enjoyed freedom. They are told to enjoy the freedom. Set aside a day of thanksgiving, of rejoicing, of feasting.

Then they are told to extend this celebration to everyone and everything within their sphere of influence. My blessing becomes the blessing of the community around me.

This seems opposite to the way of business and much of life in a supposed “dog-eat-dog” world. And yet, if I follow the rhythm of Sabbath, I will look for ways to extend the blessings of peace and freedom and life to those around me. How might this be worked out? It seems to me that is has implications for the way I treat family, animals and creation by extension, those who serve me (like the waiter in the restaurant, the sales clerk, the postal person, and a never-ending network of people who bless me from farmers to factory workers), and finally I am extending this grace to those with whom I seem to have no connection. They enter my gates. This may have referred to strangers who asked for hospitality and shelter but might I also apply to those who cross my path?

As I think about Sabbath hospitality, I think about a call to let the joy and blessings I have known to continue flowing through me. In the web 2.0 world, some people like Doc Searls highlighted forming a “culture of generosity.” I think Sabbath wisdom challenges me in this area. For the truly joyful ones are not those who hoard and hide away their treasures. But those who open their arms to welcome and bless the people and creatures around them.

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