[Greek] ἀναπαύω (anapauō), [Latin] requiescere, [Latin] reficere, [French] refreschier: to take one’s rest, to give rest, to refresh, to take a break, to rest, to cease from labor; Mt.11:28, Mt.26:45, Mk.6:31, Mk.14:41, Lk.12:19, 1Pet.4:14, Rev.6:11, Rev.14:13, 1Cor. 16:18, 2Cor,7:13, Phm.1:7,20
Agony in the Garden: painting by Pietro Perugino (1483). Jesus returns and finds the disciples asleep. (Mt.26:45)
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to cause to cease, to cease, to give someone rest, to rest from something, to bring to a close, to settle, and to relieve. The Latin verb quiescere means to be quiet. Plato’s Critias 106a states “How gladly do I welcome my release, Socrates, from my protracted discourse even as a traveler who takes his rest after a long journey. Sophocles’ Trachinae 1262 states “My followers, lift him up now, and grant me your full forgiveness for what I must do.” Euripides’ Hippolytus 1353 states “Pain darts through my head and spasms leap in my brain! Hold, so that I may rest my exhausted body!” Isocrates’ On the Peace 8.20 states “But if we make peace and demean ourselves as our covenants command us to do, than we shall dwell in our city in great security, delivered from wars and perils and the turmoil amongst ourselves.”
Old Testament: This term, with many related Hebrew terms, means to take comfort, to recover strength, to dwell (abide), to give rest, to console, to refresh, to lie down, to have sexual relations, and to be quiet. Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile again (Psa.39:13). Abram settled in the land of Canaan (Gen.13:12). My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest (Exo.33:14). David was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead (2Sam.13:39). And the Lord will have compassion on His servants (Deu.32:36). On the seventh day He ceased from labor and was refreshed (Exo.31:17). He makes me lie down in green pastures (Psa.23:2). So the people rested on the seventh day (Exo.16:30). The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation (Lev.15:18). Come aside to me, you untutored, and take lodging in the house of instruction. How long will you deprive yourself of wisdom’s food….Take her yoke upon your neck; that you may receive her teaching (Sir.51:23-24,26).
Why Wisdom is personified as female?: People assumed wisdom belonged to the gods. Divine wisdom was then granted to kings, scribes, and heads of families. Finding wisdom was likened to finding a wife. Wisdom, like a wife, offers generosity, wealth, blessings, and righteousness from the Lord. As a means to make Wisdom relatable, Wisdom was personified as a female. In addition, the Hebrew word for wisdom, chokmoth, is generally a feminine noun. This notion of wisdom was perhaps indirectly influenced by the Hellenistic idea that Sophia was the Greek goddess of wisdom.
New Testament: This term means to cause to rest, to abide, and to remain. Jesus offers others rest with an easy yoke (with a light burden). Jesus makes reference to the untutored taking restful lodging in Sirach’s house of instruction. Jesus provides “restful lodging” in the rest that He provides for us. The Spirit of God (and blessings) will rest on those who are insulted in the name of Christ. In the garden Jesus criticizes His disciples for falling asleep when the Son of Man is to be handed over to the authorities. Jesus and the disciples move away to a deserted place to rest. However, a large gathering followed, leading to the feeding of the 5000. Paul and his co-workers are refreshed by each other’s efforts and support. The fool is one who rests with material (earthly) treasures which are not important to God.
Scripture:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Mt.11:28
Jesus offers an easy yoke to those who are burdened. This scripture relates to taking up lodging (rest) in Ben Sira’s house of instruction (teaching). In this house of instruction, students are called to take this yoke of wisdom so that they may receive their teachings.
“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” 1Pet.4:14
Those, who are insulted because of Christ’s sake, will receive blessings and the Spirit of glory upon them.
“And I shall say to myself, ‘Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!” Lk.12:19
This refers to the parable of the rich fool. This pertains to excessive trust and value in material possessions. God values spiritual treasures much more than material possessions. It is more important to focus on spiritual (heavenly) treasures.
Conclusion:
Pause, requiem, quiet, refresh, fresh
It goes without saying that being quiet infers a cessation of activity. In the Greek Hellenistic era, this term can refer to a cessation from weariness, pain, and conflict. So this term provides a rest from these activities.
In the Old Testament, this term has many related Hebrew terms. Abiding and dwelling occur quite frequently, even into the New Testament. Comforting and refreshing provide relief. The more nuanced Hebrew idiom ‘lying with someone’ can mean having sexual relations with someone.
In the New Testament, Jesus offers an easy yoke for those who are burdened. This is similar to the yoke of wisdom offered to students who lodge (rest) in Sirach’s house of instruction. God calls each of us to not rest (rely) too much on material possessions. This is often a very difficult command to follow in our current materialistic culture. Rather, each of us are called to focus on and gather spiritual (heavenly) treasures which last much longer.
In an often counter-intuitive notion, blessings may come to those who have been insulted or persecuted on behalf of Christ. This relates to the notion of redemptive suffering (carrying one’s own cross). Some are called to share in this suffering with Christ. It’s inevitable that this new administration will politically unleash this ‘culture of death’ on Americans. As a result, many Catholics (and Christians) will experience opposition, demonization, and persecution. We only need to take pause and reflect, and look at the Roman Empire’ persecution of the Christians, the genocide of Africans, persecution of Christians in China and elsewhere. History shows that Christianity inevitably flourishes in response to persecution and martyrdom. Now, Christianity has been flourishing in Africa.
It is time for me to take a pause and end this post.