The Power of Rest

By: Emma Novak

About 83 days is how long we get to live out our 2026 summer. As the season of summer

begins, in most cases, it becomes pure chaos. From having summer camps, to extra sports practices - all of your dreams of a relaxing summer can go down-hill. Through all of the chaos of the summer months, how will you manage to balance it out with faith, sports, family, and rest?  At first, it could seem impossible, but when you really dive deep into what summer should truly look like, I hope you come to realize that rest is important and summer is the perfect season to slow down. So, if your summer is busy, do you think you could at least set aside the Sundays in summertime to be more restful? Spend your summer Sundays in a restful state and you will notice a difference.

“By the seventh day, God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that He had done. God rested on the seventh day.” Even our Heavenly Father managed to find time to rest in the chaos of creating our entire world! Knowing that should give you peace to know it’s important to rest and have a Sabbath each week. For Catholics, our Sabbath is on Sunday and it’s reserved for rest, family time, and prayer. Leaving your Sundays a care-free day will make your week completely different. When we’re rested, we respond to our lives with more grace and less stress.

So what should your Sundays really look like? The word Sabbath is defined as to cease

or rest from work, meaning your Sundays should generally look like: attending Holy Mass, spending time with your loved ones, setting time aside for prayer, and leaving your Sundays as care-free as possible. Even parties and social events can make you too busy to rest properly. Now, saying no to parties and events can be hard, but so is not having God at the center of your life. Honor Genesis 2:2-4 and you will see a completely new perspective with not only your Sundays, but your entire week as well.

It might be a challenge to spend one day resting each week, but if you plan out your week in advance, it can really help you achieve your goals to honor the Sabbath each Sunday. Making sure you plan your events around Sundays. Setting time aside for Holy Mass and prayer can significantly change how your Sundays will look this summer. Once you get into the habit of honoring the Sabbath you will not want to go back. Soon enough, Sundays will turn into a day you look forward to all week.

I hope your perspective on the power of rest has changed, and you realize it’s up to you to step up to the occasion and make a difference this summer. Take your summer Sundays as the Sabbath and find time to rest. This summer, keep in mind Proverbs 21:5: "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty." Have a wonderful 2026 summer and don't underestimate the power of rest.