On Rest, Sabbath, and Our Weekly Rhythms
One of the greatest gifts God has given us is the gift of rest. From the very beginning of creation, we are shown a rhythm that is both divine and deeply human—God worked, God created, and then God rested. In the book of Genesis, we read that on the seventh day, God “rested from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:2). Rest is not weakness. It is not laziness. It is holy.
Jesus himself took time to rest. He withdrew from the crowds, went off by himself to pray, spent time in the homes of friends, shared meals, and took moments to be still and simply be. In the Gospel of St. Mark 6:31, he told his disciples, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” That same invitation still echoes for us today. Rest is a sacred practice. It is a way we honor our bodies, our spirits, and God.
I invite you to reflect on your own rhythms of rest. Are you taking a Sabbath day? Are you making time to step away from work and be with God, with family, with your own thoughts? Even Jesus took naps during storms—what’s stopping you?
Resting is not something we do after all the work is done. It’s part of the work. It allows us to return to our ministries and lives with clearer minds, open hearts, and renewed energy. And most importantly, it reminds us that the world continues turning even when we pause—and that, mijos y mijas, is grace.
In the life of the Church, the clergy’s and staff’s days can be full and often extend beyond Sundays. We walk with people in their most joyful and most sorrowful moments. We visit the sick, answer phone calls and emails, plan for worship, meet with the committees, and often step into unexpected needs as they arise. This is a calling we embrace with love and faithfulness—but we also know we cannot pour from an empty cup.
With that in mind, I want to share with you a little bit about our staff’s weekly rhythm and schedule.
My day off is Friday. This is the day I try to unplug a little, step away from my inbox, and focus on restoring my soul—whether that’s through prayer, reading, taking Kuali for a long walk, or simply doing nothing (which is also holy!). During the summer months, I’ll also be taking Wednesday and Thursday evenings off after office hours to enjoy the blessings of the season—some pool time and some sunshine. However, I’ll still be physically in the office on Wednesday and Thursday mornings for appointments, conversations, and the usual mid-week work.
Each member of our team has their own schedule:
• Jesse’s day off is Monday.
• Tracey is available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
• Rosa is available on Wednesdays and Sundays.
• Etienne is available on Thursdays and Sundays.
• Julie takes Saturday and Sunday off. She is available Monday to Thursday from 9:30 to 3:30 and Friday from 9:30 to 1:30.
To hold us accountable for maintaining a healthy rhythm and to help ensure that we are giving you our best, we ask that for general calls or messages (non-emergencies), that you call or text between 9:30 AM and 8:00 PM.
We are a team that works hard, prays hard, and rests intentionally. I’m grateful for each of them and the balance they bring to our shared ministry.
Of course, pastoral emergencies don’t follow a calendar. If something urgent comes up—hospitalization, a death, or another crisis—we are always available 24/7. Please never hesitate to reach out in those moments by calling or texting to our cellphone. That’s part of the sacred trust we hold as your clergy and lay leadership.
As we move through these beautiful summer days, I pray you find your own version of Sabbath—whether it’s a long walk, a quiet morning, an afternoon by the pool, or an hour of stillness.
With Love,
Javier
