Sacred Sundays

When I was growing up my mother cooked Sunday Dinner. We ate together as a family often, but Sunday's were special. For my mother the cooking and prepping began on Saturday afternoon. She worked overnights at the local hospital so she was an expert planner and organizer. It was important for her to thoroughly enjoy her Sunday dinner as well. No one wants to be in the kitchen cooking all day. Besides cooking, her Sunday routine included reading The Times and The Ledger, and working on The New York Times crossword puzzle. Sunday dinner was always ready by noon and consisted of two meats, three vegetables, a starch (rice or mac-n cheese) , some bread (made from scratch), and dessert. Mmmmhmmm . . . Back then it seemed as though everyone observed Sunday dinner. It was like a weekly holiday. No one visited, made plans, or played outside.

Nowadays, I still observe the Sunday Dinner with my family however we have made some additions to this already beautiful tradition. I make sure that I am off on Sundays to use the opportunity to cook and commune with family. Extended family is welcome, but most times it is just us eating, laughing, and talking. Before dinner we make a special plate for our ancestors and engage in a ritual that includes prayer, gratitude, and light for elevation. Then we take a few moments to meditate and connect with them before eating. It is the one of the most important things that we do all week. The messages that we receive are reflections to be used all week long.

If you don't observe a Sunday Dinner tradition I strongly suggest it. It brings families together and reinforces the family bond.