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StJoseph8
Guest
this may sound dumb, but is it wrong or sinful to have a package delivered on a Sunday?
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reggieM
Guest
It’s a prudential judgement. A priest will answer this more correctly but for me, I try to avoid things like that. Sometimes it’s impossible since you don’t know when delivery will occur. But if there is a choice between Sunday and Monday, I’ll take Monday. If there is an urgent necessity - perhaps medicine of some kind - then earlier would be best. So, it will depend on the purpose and your own motive.
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tawny
Guest
In a word, no.
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pianistclare
Guest
NO, and PLEASE don’t bother your priest with this query. He’ll think you’re a nut.
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StJoseph8
Guest
It was a textbook required for class. I was going to wait until I saw there was only 1 left. I was in a rush to get the order in and it said it would arrive on Sunday. I later tried to change it but it was too late, and I can’t cancel the order b/c i’m not paying for it. of course now they say its in stock so my rushing was for nothing 
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Tim_D
Guest
You certainly take the long way…
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Tim_D
Guest
Out of curiosity, why would you think it wrong to receive a package on Sunday?It was a textbook required for class. I was going to wait until I saw there was only 1 left. I was in a rush to get the order in and it said it would arrive on Sunday. I later tried to change it but it was too late, and I can’t cancel the order b/c i’m not paying for it. of course now they say its in stock so my rushing was for nothing
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StJoseph8
Guest
well it’s making postal workers work and Sunday Is supposed to be a day of rest.
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oldgraymare2
Guest
My Dear,
No, it’s not wrong.
There are going to be job positions where people will work weekends as part of taking on that particular job.
I had a seasonal job for the holidays at one time, and I was able to go to Mass either before or after my scheduled weekend shift.
I was in a situation where I really needed that job at the time.
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Tim_D
Guest
Postal workers already work on Sunday regardless as to whether you are receiving a package or not.
By the way, the prohibition is against unnecessary servile work. If one must work on Sunday as a condition of employment, then there is nothing wrong with that. Would you suggest that doctors, nurses, policemen or firemen are doing something that they shouldn’t?
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reggieM
Guest
Correct. It’s a very good concern to have. Our society has basically eliminated any sense of God’s commandment for Sabbath rest. So now people have to work on Sunday. So, people then interpret the commandment by society’s rules. “Since I have to work on Sunday anyway to keep a job, then I can patronize any work on Sunday.” Then, people interpret “rest” as “doing whatever I want”. So, building the addition on the house is perfectly fine on Sunday since “it’s something that is relaxing for me”.
When we compel people to work on Sunday, then we perpetuate this problem in society and the Day of the Lord is lost.
So, we are to avoid making unnecessary demands on others, as the Church teaches.
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reggieM
Guest
I think this is a great learning opportunity for you.It was a textbook required for class. I was going to wait until I saw there was only 1 left. I was in a rush to get the order in and it said it would arrive on Sunday. I later tried to change it but it was too late, and I can’t cancel the order b/c i’m not paying for it. of course now they say its in stock so my rushing was for nothing
I’ve done the same thing and realized that God was giving me a message.
Notice, you were rushing and this caused you to make it Sunday. Then in the end, it was in stock so you didn’t have to do it.
I see it as a test of faith - in a small way.
Waiting and potentially missing the purchase would have been a big act of faith.
But sometimes God wants that of us.
This is a small example, but once you try to avoid unnecessary work on Sunday more often, you will see events like this all the time.
Exceptions to the commandment are necessary works: Medical, first-responders, fire, police. Also, leisure activities are included. Restaurants were seen (at one time, but not much any more) as a chance for mothers who cook all week to have a day of rest from their work. Travel and other non-servile labor is included.
Very little of what is available for work on Sunday is really necessary.
There should be more simplicity, quiet, family-time, peaceful leisure, time for God and reflection on nature, taking a walk, getting away from the business of the work week on Sunday.
Whether minor violations here and there are mortal sins is a different question. Our goal should be to reduce unnecessary work and make thoughtful decisions when events arise.
Of course, whenever a question about moral practice is asked on CAF, you’ll get a variety of conflicting answers from Catholics, each who thinks he or she understands the issue fully and is appalled that someone disagrees.
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reggieM
Guest
That doesn’t follow.
You said the prohibition is against unnecessary work.
Then you listed a bunch of occupations (medical, police, firemen) which fulfill necessary tasks in society.
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LightBound
Guest
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LightBound
Guest
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LightBound
Guest
When people take a job in a field that requires work beyond the hours on 8 to 5 on Monday thru Friday, they are fully aware that there will be times they must work. It would be simply lovely if the world just stopped on Sunday and no one had to do anything and we lived in such a marvelous society that income wasn’t needed to survive, but sadly neither is reality and as others have pointed out, the post office lobby may be closed to the general public on Sundays, but major postal facilities are still staffed 24/7.
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Tim_D
Guest
The postal service is active 24/7. Mail and packages are not all junk. Much of it deals with things that “fulfill necessary tasks in society,” be it important business forms, medical packages, etc.
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Tim_D
Guest
Does that include spending 4 hours cooking Sunday dinner? Are you suggesting that people should simply eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead?
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JRS_88
Guest
This^^^ A million times This^^^.
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reggieM
Guest
I offered my views on the issue. You disagree. That’s pretty normal on CAF. We can go around and around on this and there’s not going to be a winner.
You want to do whatever you want on Sunday - it’s between you and God and maybe your Confessor if you think the 3rd Commandment has any relevance.
From my perspective, I just don’t see you offering much depth on this issue. No offense intended here.
I mean, if I was looking for subtle and deeper understanding of the moral dimensions involved in following the 3rd Commandment, you would not be the first source I would turn to.
But I appreciate your opinions nonetheless.
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