(Exodus 20:8) The Hebrew word for “Sabbath” means rest. Physical and mental “rest” is relatively easy to obtain but a holy day of rest requires a different mindset and a different skill set. This commandment draws our attention to the fact that the quality of our Sabbath Day is directly proportional to how things go during the "six days of labor" leading up to it, and how we view the challenges and difficulties of our work week.

Readings: Exodus 20:8-11, Matthew 12:1-14, True Christianity 301-304, Arcana Coelestia 1798

Minister: Rev. Derek P. Elphick

Delivered November 9th, 2025 at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral in Bryn Athyn, PA.

The Bryn Athyn Church is a congregation of the General Church of the New Jerusalem, located in Bryn Athyn, PA. We are committed to helping each other draw closer to the Lord God Jesus Christ through lives of love and useful service, guided by the Old and New Testaments and the Heavenly Doctrine for the New Church (contained in the theological works of Emanuel Swedenborg). Please join us for worship on Sunday mornings; services and times can be found at brynathynchurch.org.