Historically for Christians, each day of the
week has its own spiritual theme. Saturday is significant for
being the Sabbath and Sunday for being the day of the Resurrection. Very
early on, probably as early as the apostolic age, Wednesdays and Fridays
were observed as fast days, partly to observe solemn occasions in Jesus’
life and partly to make a public break from the Jewish custom of fasting
on Mondays and Thursdays. Within a short time, each day of the week had its
own theme that flavored any personal devotion or public worship service held
on that day.
Sadly, much of this rich heritage is forgotten in western Christianity,
but it is still very much alive in Orthodoxy. For more information, see the
publication Come Before God by Alkiviadis C. Calivas, Holy Cross
Orthodox Press, 1986.
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
In Judaism, Sunday was called both the first day and the eighth day, because
it was on Sunday that creation began, and it was on the following Sunday
that the new creation was open for business, so to speak. As the eighth day,
Sunday is significant, because it is on the eighth day that Jewish babies
are circumcised, consequently it was on the eighth day of His earthly life
that Jesus was circumcised and given His name (Luke 2:21). Sunday took
on new meaning to early Christians, because Sunday is also the day on which
Jesus rose from the grave (Luke 24:1). Historically, the Church has
held corporate worship services on all days of the week, but Sundays have
always been special, for it is on this day that they gather to celebrate
Jesus’ conquest of death, His coming again, and the new creation (Revelation 21:1).
Therefore, Sunday is the principal day on which Christians celebrate the
Eucharist. Sunday is a weekly Easter celebration, a witness to the risen
Lord.
Monday
On Monday, the Church remembers the angels, the ministering spirits who
serve God to help bring about our salvation. The angel of the Lord wrestled
with Jacob, and when Jacob prevailed, gave him the name “Israel” and the
blessing that resulted in the old covenant (Genesis 32:22-30). Angels
were the mediators through whom Moses received the Law (Galatians 3:19).
Angels served the prophets, and they announced the birth of John the Baptist
(Luke 1:11-13) and the nativity of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:25-33).
Angels tended to Jesus’ needs in the wilderness (Matthew 4:11). Angels
are sent to help each of us as we grow in faith. (Hebrews 1:14).
Tuesday
On Tuesday, the Church honors St. John the Baptist and all the prophets.
John the Baptist heads the list, because he was the forerunner of Jesus (Luke 1:11-17).
The prophets are worthy of honor because they are models of perseverance
and obedience in the face of adversity. All of them suffered because of their
calling, yet they remained faithful and delivered the message of God’s salvation.
Some, like Jeremiah, suffered humiliation and degradation; others paid more
dearly. John the Baptist was beheaded (Mark 6:21-26).
Wednesday
On Wednesday, the Church remembers how Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, possibly
because in order to betray Jesus at the Last Supper on Thursday, he had to
make arrangements the day before. Wednesday is traditionally a fast day.
(In a religious context, fasting does not mean abstaining from all food. You
can read more about religious fasting.) In fact, John Wesley, the Anglican
priest who founded Methodism, did not believe a man should be ordained if
he did not fast twice a week, reasoning that anyone who cannot discipline
his own appetite cannot discipline the Church of God. Something for us to
think about! Though Wednesday’s theme is somber, it is also paradoxically
joyous. By realizing that Judas’ betrayal only played into God’s hands and
facilitated our salvation, we can look forward in faith to see that our hardships
serve some greater, more positive purpose (Romans 8:28).
Thursday
On Thursday, Jesus held the Last Supper, at which time He instituted the
Eucharist and gave His apostles their marching orders. Therefore on Thursday,
the Church remembers the apostles who received Jesus’ commission to tend
His flock. The apostles were fishers who were motivated by love rather than
by profit, who caught people rather than fish. Unlike fishermen, they threw
no ugly fish back into the water! They found the lost, the rejected, and
the downcast—the least of this world—so that the Holy Spirit could transform
sinners into saints to the greater glory of God. Our church leaders must
follow the example of the apostles in their preaching and teaching, and as
they edify and discipline the souls they gather into the Church. Most importantly,
our church leaders must emulate the apostles’ devotion to the Lord Jesus
and their love for His little ones for whom He died.
Friday
On Friday, the Church remembers the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, therefore
Friday is traditionally a fast day. (In a religious context, fasting does
not mean abstaining from all food. You can read more
about religious fasting.) In fact, John Wesley, the Anglican priest who
founded Methodism, did not believe a man should be ordained if he did not
fast twice a week, reasoning that anyone who cannot discipline his own appetite
cannot discipline the Church of God. Something for us to think about! Though
Friday’s theme is somber, it is also paradoxically joyous. The disciples
themselves viewed the Crucifixion as a catastrophe that ended all hope (Luke 14:19-21).
But when they saw their risen Lord, they realized that no power in heaven,
on earth, or under the earth could defeat Him! By remembering how Jesus overcame
ultimate defeat, we can look forward in faith to see that Jesus will rescue
us from our mortality (John 14:3). We can face any hardship, we can
suffer any adversity, and we can endure any terror, because we know that
Jesus through His victory will rescue us (Romans 8:18).
Saturday
Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath. Christians are mindful that it was on Saturday
that Jesus rested in the grave, thus fulfilling the Law until His resurrection.
The Church also seeks to emulate the faith, hope, and devotion of those who
have fallen asleep in the Lord and of those who were martyred for their Christian
testimony.
‘Eucharist’ is the original term for the sharing of
bread and wine that commemorates and continues the Last Supper. The term
Eucharist is still used by many Christians. Some call it Communion or the
Last Supper. Whatever the terminology, it is the same thing.
