fallow

Opening Prayer: O God, Lord of the Sabbath, you made the Sabbath year for the rest, renewal, and replenishment of the land.  May we follow your lead and create time and space for our lives and our souls to be renewed and replenished as well.  It is all a part of your grand design.  Amen.

Scripture: Leviticus 25:1-7

Journal: Why was the Sabbath year instituted?  What was the desired result?  How and when do you allow your soul to lie fallow?  If you do not, why not?

Reflection:

     fallow

every now

and again

the land must

simply lie fallow

in order to be all

that it was

intended to be

the same is true

of the soul

there is

a deep need

and a great necessity

in the life of the spirit

for our hearts

and our souls

to lie fallow

to create

a time

and a space

where we do

nothing

but rest

and recover

a time where we

accomplish nothing

produce nothing

achieve nothing

a time where

we do not try

to be helpful

or available

but only

replenish and renew

our souls

for years of

future fruitfulness

but o how

difficult the task

how hard it is

to create

and maintain

this time and space

to hold onto it

doggedly

against all

that would try

to fill it up

it takes

an enormous

amount

of discipline

and wisdom

and courage

to let the soul

just lie there

undisturbed

that is why

so few

ever do it

Pray

Closing Prayer: O God, full of compassion, I commit myself to you, in whom I am, and live and know. Be the goal of my pilgrimage and my rest by the way. Let my soul take refuge from the crowding turmoil of worldly thought beneath the shadow of your wings. Let my heart, this sea of restless waves, find peace in you, O God. Amen. ~St. Augustine