Does "Sunday" start at midnight

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Does “Sunday” start at midnight, or does it start when you wake up on Sunday after having been to sleep?

I work from home. I’m obviously still awake, and it’s technically Sunday, and I’m waiting for my [stubborn, very young] daughter to go to sleep so I can go to sleep. I’m not staying up TO work, I just happen to still be awake for family reasons.

I can work right now without causing anyone else to have to work; it’s computer-driven. Or I could read or I could twiddle my thumbs or watch a video or what have you. Is it a sin to choose to continue working after the clock turns midnight while I’m waiting to be able to go to bed? Where’s the line drawn?

(Yes, I do often go to Mass and RCIA on very, very little sleep. We have an unusual family situation making sleep a big issue here, one I don’t have much help in remedying.)
 
I think “oh, it’s 12:01, time to stop working” crosses the line into legalism.
 
milkbar said:
Bearing in mind that I’m very new to this – that is a bad thing?
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Legalism is generally an accusation thrown at “stricter” sects by “If you raise your hands and PRAISE THE LAWD you will be saved!” sects- and although generally it’s just not being able to understand that Jesus did not in fact say “all those who believe in me shall be saved”, it does in fact exist. In the Gospels, it wasn’t Jesus who was concerned with the exact letter of the law, it was the Pharisees.

Again, I’m not an expert on this doctrine and this is just my initial feeling
 
If it’s for the purpose of liturgy, it starts as sun is down the day before it. This is following the Hebrew understanding of when the next day begins.

Thus you can have your Sunday mass on Saturday evening, after the sun has gone down. In some parishes it is called sunset mass. And 6 o’clock in the evening is the standard hour.

Legally of course it starts just after the clock strikes twelve midnight on Saturday. That’s how we celebrates the New Year - people waiting for the countdown to twelve midnight before they pop up the champange and sing Auld Lang Syne. It’s quite different with the liturgy.

God bless.
 
milkbar said:
Does “Sunday” start at midnight, or does it start when you wake up on Sunday after having been to sleep?

I work from home. I’m obviously still awake, and it’s technically Sunday, and I’m waiting for my [stubborn, very young] daughter to go to sleep so I can go to sleep. I’m not staying up TO work, I just happen to still be awake for family reasons.

I can work right now without causing anyone else to have to work; it’s computer-driven. Or I could read or I could twiddle my thumbs or watch a video or what have you. Is it a sin to choose to continue working after the clock turns midnight while I’m waiting to be able to go to bed? Where’s the line drawn?

(Yes, I do often go to Mass and RCIA on very, very little sleep. We have an unusual family situation making sleep a big issue here, one I don’t have much help in remedying.)
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Hiyas milkbar:)

I understand your concerns.
I find myself at cRaZy times …with the world, as well. Mine, being medically driven. I find myself less concerned with worldly clocks and more concerned with my intentions.

You seem to have more control over your days / hours - than I. Albeit, I bet it seems out of control to you, at times.

When I find myself at odds with clocks, I use it to strengthen my faith or help others strengthen theirs. I use this board Catholic Answers, The links to Catholic Encyclopedia here. I study the lives of Saints etc that are quoted here, Pray…There are many numerous ways for me to take myself away from the secular and into the religious.

I hope this helps.
 
milkbar said:
. Is it a sin to choose to continue working after the clock turns midnight while I’m waiting to be able to go to bed? Where’s the line drawn?

(.)
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the prohibition is against unnecessary servile work, so unless you plan to go down into the coal mine or start plowing the south 40, you should be good. Personally I take it to include housework, which is certainly servile in my book, and don’t do diddly on Sunday, neither did my mom, but that is your choice.
 
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