345 The sabbath — the end of the work of the six days. The sacred text says that ‘on the seventh day God finished his work which he had done’, that the ‘heavens and the earth were finished’, and that God 2168 ‘rested’ on this day and sanctified and blessed it.213 These inspired words are rich in profitable instruction: 346 In creation God laid a foundation and established laws that remain firm, on which the believer can rely with confidence, for they are the sign and pledge of 2169 the unshakeable faithfulness of God’s covenant.214 For his part man must remain faithful to this foundation, and respect the laws which the Creator has written into it. 347 Creation was fashioned with a view to the sabbath and therefore for the p5—1152 worship and adoration of God. Worship is inscribed in the order of creation.21’ As the rule of St Benedict says, nothing should take precedence over ‘the work of God’, that is, solemn worship.216 This indicates the right order of human concerns. 2172 348 The sabbath is at the heart of Israel’s law. To keep the commandments is to correspond to the wisdom and the will of God as expressed in his work of creation. 349 The eighth day. But for us a new day has dawned: the day of 2174 Christ’s Resurrection. The seventh day completes the first crea tion. The eighth day begins the new creation. Thus, the work of creation culminates in the greater work of redemption. The first 1046 creation finds its meaning and its summit in the new creation in Christ, the splendour of which surpasses that of the first crea tion.2’7 IN BRIEF 350 Angels are spiritual creatures who glorify God without ceasing and who serve his saving plans for other creatures: ‘The angels work together for the benefit ofus all’ (St Thomas Aquinas, STh 1, 114,3, ad3). 351 The angels surround Christ their Lord. They serve him especially in the accomplishment of his saving mission to men. 352 The Church venerates the angels who help her on her earthly pilgrimage and protect every human being.