Cherry pickking on Sunday?

[Kathrin]

My grandparents would love for my parents and me to help them pick some cherries from their few trees.
Today when my mom called my Grandma, they talked about doing it on Sunday afternoon, that might be the best time because of other plans on other days. My grandparents are active Catholics, that’s why my patrents first thought they might not want to do it on Sunday afternoon. But my Grandma said that the little bit of picking we would do wasn’t really work, just a family thing or something… I wonder if it is right though… they’d really like me to help too because I am good at climbing trees. And it’s fun, I must say. Would you say it’s an ok thing to do on a Sunday?

(Sunday morning I am already doing something “work”-like, but that’s playing music for residents at a physical rehabilitation place, so I think that is something necessary and positive! I can go to church on Saturday.)

Kathrin

 

[1ke]

Kathrin,

Go pick cherries.

You are have a scrupulous moment.

 

[Caesar517]

Family time is the focus of Sunday – we are supposed to avoid work and spend time with our family as much as possible.

Over the past few weekends (including Sundays), my dad and I have been building a deck behind the house. I spent time thinking about it and I have come to the conclusion that the work we are supposed to avoid on Sundays is paid work (for the most part) or anything that would take us away from our families.

I agree with 1ke, you are having a scrupulous moment.

 

[Kathrin]

Official teaching seems so vague though on this whole Sunday working thing, doesn’t it?
Like, what is work - if it’s not fun? Even when it’s manual?
I rememebr an apologist once telling somebody gardening is never work for a hobby gardener, or something like that.
What is necessary work - the patients at the rehab center could live without this entertainment, but it sure is a nice thing for them to attend. (And yes for that I AM getting paid. I brought this up here last year even, and people were telling me to go ahead with it.)

Kathrin

 

[Caesar517]

Official teaching seems so vague though on this whole Sunday working thing, doesn’t it?

I think that’s just because this is something that varies between people so much that there can’t be a ver specific code to follow.

What is necessary work - the patients at the rehab center could live without this entertainment, but it sure is a nice thing for them to attend. (And yes for that I AM getting paid. I brought this up here last year even, and people were telling me to go ahead with it.)

I think I would consider that closer to good works in the Lord’s Name than work per se (even if you are getting paid).

 

[Kathrin]

I think that’s just because this is something that varies between people so much that there can’t be a ver specific code to follow.

Right, that’s probably true, it differs a lot between people what they consider work.
And if I am not sure I should probably trust my wise old Grandma.

Kathrin

 

[ghaybyers1]

I “work” on Sundays, too- we will often turn on music in the house and clean a bit, garden, etc. But it’s not “real” work, because it’s an activity where we’re all happy, productive, and functioning as a family!

As for playing at the rehabilitation center… I’m with everyone else. If you’re doing something that brings joy to other people, then it belongs on a Sunday even MORE than any other day. It would be especially great if you could throw some Catholic instrumentals in there, too

 

[Kathrin]

I am free to play my own songs, and a lot of them have some reference to my faith.

 

[rpp]

The Church teaches us not to servile work on Sunday (such as your doing your normal job).

Picking cherries as family family is entertainment and not servile work, it is meant to be a little fun. Sure something that needs to be done is accomplished, but that is not the real point. The real point is a family gathering.

Just have fun! And do not forget the 10 Commandments for the Scrupulous. I do not think I need to post the link for you.

And, by the way, when are you due to arrive in the USA? (If I am being too forward, please tell me.) I hope you have a safe trip!

 

[LilyM]

You can even do servile work on Sundays if, for example, you work in emergency services (people still need policemen and firefighters and doctors on Sundays) or it’s a matter of necessities (ie necessary bills don’t get paid unless you work Sundays).

 

[rwoehmke]

You can even do servile work on Sundays if, for example, you work in emergency services (people still need policemen and firefighters and doctors on Sundays) or it’s a matter of necessities (ie necessary bills don’t get paid unless you work Sundays).

Or if its gonna rain before Monday morning, tomorrow, and the hay baled on Saturday is still in the field. Could be cherries ruined from being too long on the tree too.

 

[dessert]

I have two cherry trees and they aren’t quite ready yet, but can’t wait to make a cherry pie and share it. Now that is not work it is charity. Bless you for wanting to help family. The seed plucking that is work, but I have a cherry seed popper now.

 

[Nan_S]

Better cherry picking than nit picking.

Mt 12:1-2, 7-8 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
He answered, “If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Enjoy the fresh cherries.

 

[Kathrin]

And, by the way, when are you due to arrive in the USA? (If I am being too forward, please tell me.) I hope you have a safe trip!

I haven’t booked anything yet, but still planning to go at the end of July.
Actually, my grandparents told me a while ago already that they’d be VERY glad if I was still here for the cherries, because they remembere from last year how I had fun climbing those trees.
Unfortunately there isn’t all that much fruit this year.

Thanks for wishing me a safe trip!

Kathrin

 

[rpp]

Well,. let us know when you leave and when you arrive safely.

(As for me, my summer will abruptly end on July 14. After that, I will spend the rest of it on my back sucking on narcotics. I am having knee surgery, and will likely spend 2 to 4 months on crutches with a six to 12 month total recovery.)

 

[Kathrin]

Cherry picking was FUNNNN!!! You should have seen me climb those branches!

My Grandma also sewed some pants for me because they had a hole. On a Sunday:blush: I talked to her about it but she said she liked doing it.

 

[rpp]

Cherry picking was FUNNNN!!! You should have seen me climb those branches!

My Grandma also sewed some pants for me because they had a hole. On a Sunday:blush: I talked to her about it but she said she liked doing it.

I am so happy you had a good time. It is always great to get outdoors on a nice summer day.

As for your Grandmother sewing your pants (on a Sunday), that was not work, that was a corporal work of mercy done out of love. There could be nothing wrong with that.