Saturday, September 4 : Saint Augustine

Now we are in the time of grace revealed to us, the observance of the Sabbath, which was previously symbolized by resting on a single day, has been brought to an end where the faithful are concerned. For in this time of grace Christians observe an unending Sabbath, provided that all the good they do is done in hope of the rest to come and provided they don’t boast about the good they do as though it were a good belonging to them rather than having received it. So when they understand and receive the sacrament of baptism as a Sabbath, that is to say as the Lord’s resting in the tomb (Rm 6:4), Christians rest from their former works to walk from henceforward in a new life, recognizing that God acts within them. It is God who both works and rests together, on the one hand granting his creatures the guidance they need, and on the other rejoicing in himself in everlasting tranquillity. God was neither worn out by creating the world nor recovered his strength by ceasing to create, but he wished to invite us by these words of his Scripture – “God rested on the seventh day” (Gn 2:2) – to long for this rest by giving us the command to make this day holy.

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team