Am I Breaking the Commandment?

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JKirkLVNV

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This weighs on my conscience. I’m a teacher. I teach in an at-risk school in a very poor section of Las Vegas. Our children are overwhelmingly second-language learners, they come from poor, hard working families that came here to make a better life for their children, but they cannot help them with their homework/studies, etc., and the children are, for the most part, usally anywhere from 2-3 years behind in their reading level. I told you all that to ask you this:
If I work on lesson plans, grading papers, making bulletin boards, tearing apart and examing test results, and all the other stuff that I can’t get done after or before school, on Sunday, am I violating the commandment against work on the Lord’s Day? There is not time enough in the day to do all I’m expected to do. I’m NOT complaining about having to do it (it’s all for our kids), but I almost HAVE to work on Saturday. I justify it because isn’t it almost an act of charity if I’m doing it so as to be ready for the children? On Sundays, I usually sit on the sofa or my work table and watch TV while I’m cutting stuff out or grading papers, etc. Is this wrong?
 
JKirkLVNV,

Does the work you do on Sunday detract from the joy of the Lord’s Day? If so, I believe it to be a sin. However, I can mow my lawn without detracting from the joy of the Lord’s day, I can turn on lights in my house (Orthodox Jews say this is “work” contrary to the Sabbath rest), I can fold my laundry, do my dishes, floss my teeth, etc. I suppose you can correct some papers without detracting from the joy of the Lord’s Day. If you cannot, I recommend you refrain from such work.
 
Canon law states: “On Sundays and other holydays of obligation, the faithful are obliged to assist at Mass. They are also to abstain from such work or business that would inhibit the worship to be given to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, or the due relaxation of mind and body.” (canon 1247)

So, I’d say if your work on Sunday, whatever it is, detracts from “the joy proper to the Lord’s Day” or the “due relaxation of mind and body,” or “inhibits the worship to be given to God” then you ought to re-think your priorities.
 
I think a positive way to view this is to dedicate the wonderful work you are doing on Sundays to the glory of God and ask that He bless the children you are teaching through you and your very important work. Bless you for your dedication–you are making this world a better place for all of us.
 
On Sunday, we are bound to hear Mass and refrain from servile work. Those who are able to refrain from servile work on Sundays must do so. What you describe is not servile work. According to the Baltimore Catechism, we must always have a good reason for working on a holy day. Sounds to me like you have a good reason!
 
Island Oak:
I think a positive way to view this is to dedicate the wonderful work you are doing on Sundays to the glory of God and ask that He bless the children you are teaching through you and your very important work. Bless you for your dedication–you are making this world a better place for all of us.
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I second that! :clapping:
 
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JKirkLVNV:
There is not time enough in the day to do all I’m expected to do. I’m NOT complaining about having to do it (it’s all for our kids), but I almost HAVE to work on Saturday. I justify it because isn’t it almost an act of charity if I’m doing it so as to be ready for the children? On Sundays, I usually sit on the sofa or my work table and watch TV while I’m cutting stuff out or grading papers, etc. Is this wrong?
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The above bolded word should have read “Sunday,” “but I almost HAVE to work on Sunday.” I already have to work on Saturday, too!

Dave, always a valued opinion. My Sunday work doesn’t interfere with Mass, or choir practice after Mass. I don’t mind doing the work, because it isn’t physically taxing. It isn’t even all that mentally taxing (grading papers, tearing apart test data, bulletin board stuff). If I wasn’t doing it, I’d be taking a nap (or spending even MORE time chatting with you folks:D ). If I don’t do it, it’s really (deep down) the kids who get short-changed. I just don’t want to grieve our Lord (any more than I already do) or break the law of the Church. Thanks to all of you for your (name removed by moderator)ut, most kind.
 
Offer up your works and deeds to God and I think you will discern your answer to that. Many parishes hold their religious education classes on Sunday and someone is teaching them too! So teachers do work on Sunday. My spouse is a nurse and hospitals never close…but like my suggestion, she offers up her work to the glory of God.So pray on it, and never cease.
 
God bless you for all you do for His little ones, I don’t see how you could be offending Him at all. They are very blessed to have you as a teacher. We will keep you and those families in our prayers. :blessyou:
 
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