God's plan for human beings day by day was that we should have a sabbath of rest every week: "six days shall you work and do all that you have to do and the seventh day you are to rest."

Every week was to have a "sabbath of rest" at the end of the week: a day in which no work was done, "in all your dwellings". No servile work was to be done.

If we had a weekly schedule like this, wouldn't we be healthier, better rested, less tired, less stressed, more relaxed in mind and body? Our priorities, our lifestyle, our lifestyle choices would have to change. Time with family and neighbours and community might prevail instead. Food and conversation and recreation. Home centred lives shared with others?

We might not all have the same day as a Sabbath, as hospitals and carehomes and other places need to provide 7 days a week care, but the ...