Housework on Sundays

[OneSmallFlower]

My parents want me to do some housecleaning today- scrubbing the bathroom and whatnot. I try to make it a point not to work on Sundays (I did all my homework yesterday) but I know you’re supposed to honor your parents, and honestly, I don’t want to deal with that kind of an argument right now. I’m going to Mass tonight; can I obey my parents’ wishes and still receive Communion?

 

[1ke]

My parents want me to do some housecleaning today- scrubbing the bathroom and whatnot. I try to make it a point not to work on Sundays (I did all my homework yesterday) but I know you’re supposed to honor your parents, and honestly, I don’t want to deal with that kind of an argument right now. I’m going to Mass tonight; can I obey my parents’ wishes and still receive Communion?

Yes, you can.

Be careful not to be scrupulous. The Church does not teach that you cannot do any housecleaning on Sunday.

 

[OneSmallFlower]

Muchas gracias!

 

[Hodegetria]

I agree, yes you can. Obey your mom and dad as long as it’s reasonable, light chores as you described, even on Sunday are reasonable. God bless you and your family.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

Yes, you can.

Be careful not to be scrupulous. The Church does not teach that you cannot do any housecleaning on Sunday.

Yes it does. Unnecessary servile work is not permitted on Sundays. It is a day of rest. Obviously dishes have to be done after eating, but unless there is a good reason why cleaning the bathroom floor can’t wait until Monday (ie: toilet backed up, someone vomited on it before they got to the toilet) servile work like that is a sin against the third commandment.

There is a hierarchy that puts honoring God above honoring our neighbors including parents. If we are asked to do something sinful (which unnecesry servile work on Sundays is), we are not to obey.

I would tell my parents respectfully and kindly that I would be happy to scrub the bathroom floors on Monday, but today is Sunday, the Lord’s Day, which we are commanded to keep this day holy and spend it honoring God and rest from unnecessary servile work.

They might get mad the first time, but you must stand your ground. I would suggest doing an extra household chore that’s particularly unpleasant or demanding that your parents would do, so they also benefit from you not doing servile work on Sunday. Then you also do a greater act of charity towards your parents.

 

[Allegra]

I think that most theologians understand the ban on work on Sundays to be on profit seeking work, not tidying your house or study. Nice try though.

 

[Hodegetria]

I can see it both ways, but the CCC says:

2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body.

2186 Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life.

2187 Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord’s Day. Traditional activities (sport, restaurants, etc.), and social necessities (public services, etc.), require some people to work on Sundays, but everyone should still take care to set aside sufficient time for leisure. With temperance and charity the faithful will see to it that they avoid the excesses and violence sometimes associated with popular leisure activities. In spite of economic constraints, public authorities should ensure citizens a time intended for rest and divine worship. Employers have a similar obligation toward their employees.

To the OP, maybe your parents will understand your desire to rest on Sunday, so next time you can do both homework AND housework on Saturday.

 

[LightBound]

Here are some links from the CAF apologists and a thread from a young women likely close to your age regarding housework/yardwork on Sundays.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=602073&postcount=2

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=4498096&postcount=2

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=12497264#post12497264

 

[OneSmallFlower]

Uh yeah, there is NO way my parents would let me not clean the house today… I don’t think “explaining it nicely” is going to help.
They don’t even like the fact that I choose not to work a job on Sundays.
I did already receive communion yesterday; I know it’s a sin of presumption, but would it be better to just follow their wishes, not go to church tonight (since I went yesterday evening) and then confess it?
A fast reply would be nice, all.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

Uh yeah, there is NO way my parents would let me not clean the house today… I don’t think “explaining it nicely” is going to help.
They don’t even like the fact that I choose not to work a job on Sundays.
I did already receive communion yesterday; I know it’s a sin of presumption, but would it be better to just follow their wishes, not go to church tonight (since I went yesterday evening) and then confess it?
A fast reply would be nice, all.

Did you go to the vigil mass? If so, you fulfilled your obligation.

 

[LightBound]

Uh yeah, there is NO way my parents would let me not clean the house today… I don’t think “explaining it nicely” is going to help.
They don’t even like the fact that I choose not to work a job on Sundays.
I did already receive communion yesterday; I know it’s a sin of presumption, but would it be better to just follow their wishes, not go to church tonight (since I went yesterday evening) and then confess it?
A fast reply would be nice, all.

Can you not help clean the house and then attend Mass again this evening?

You are helping them out and contributing to making family life and household run smoothly by cleaning, so that’s something you should do. I must have missed the part about them not wanting you to go to Mass this evening.

 

[OneSmallFlower]

Did you go to the vigil mass? If so, you fulfilled your obligation.

Yes, I did.
I just don’t like committing sins of presumption, but I can’t think of another way out of this.
And I wanna go to Mass tonight, I’d very much like to, but I’m not going to receive the Eucharist unworthily.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

Yes, I did.
I just don’t like committing sins of presumption, but I can’t think of another way out of this.
And I wanna go to Mass tonight, I’d very much like to, but I’m not going to receive the Eucharist unworthily.

You don’t have to go today. It isn’t required of you, your obligation for today has been fulfilled by going to the vigil mass.

 

[OneSmallFlower]

Okay, so I won’t go to Mass. Should I still be doing housework?

 

[LightBound]

Okay, so I won’t go to Mass. Should I still be doing housework?

Did you not read the links I posted for you in an earlier reply? Rest on Sunday doesn’t mean lounge around the house, draped over the sofa or playing on the computer all day. Help your parents clean the home your family occupies and show your thankfulness to the Lord by taking care of what He has given you. There are plenty of people out there with no home or suitable dwelling. While you are cleaning, praise God for modern conveniences, thank God for what you have, and pray for your family members that use the toilet, the sink, and the tub you are cleaning.

In case you missed them:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=602073&postcount=2

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=4498096&postcount=2

If you want to attend Mass again this evening, although you’ve already met your obligation, go ahead. Nothing wrong with taking advantage of being able to attend Mass again.
’

 

[z_0101]

offer it up

Jesus Heals a Woman on the Sabbath
…14But the synagogue official, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the crowd in response, “There are six days in which work should be done; so come during them and get healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” 15But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead him away to water him? 16"And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?”…

• There is work that must be done for the health and safety of the family and its property (untie the his ox or donkey… daughter of Abraham, Satan has bound…)
  The bathroom is one of the places of greatest exposure to pathogens and as such should really be kept “clean” as much as possible (IMHO: preferably daily - then again, we have influenza A running lose in the community along with strep and only the Good Lord knows what that is constantly being brought into the house from pre-school, school, daycare, and day-to-day business with the public).

So, personally, on three points, Honor a reasonable request of your parents, keep peace in the family, pray the Rosary while you are cleaning and offer the sacrifice up for some poor soul in purgatory for whom no-one remembers their name. You might want to read about St. Therese, “the little flower” (… although, from your user name, you may already be familiar with The Little Flower).

At worse this is a venial sin on your part - forgiven during the penitential rite of the Holy Mass, this (IMHO) is not grave matter, you do not have full control of will as a child/teen, you do not have full knowledge.

With four kids, one a teenager, two kinder, toddler, the washer and dryer never, ever, stop running… guess what, we’re running laundry, the kids will be folding clothing today as it comes out of the dryer… as a family activity… because it has to be done or no-one will have clothing to wear for school and work… for our family, this is no different than leading that ox to water… it simply has to be done… and we try to make it as fun as possible.

 

[Cat]

Yes it does. Unnecessary servile work is not permitted on Sundays. It is a day of rest. Obviously dishes have to be done after eating, but unless there is a good reason why cleaning the bathroom floor can’t wait until Monday (ie: toilet backed up, someone vomited on it before they got to the toilet) servile work like that is a sin against the third commandment.

There is a hierarchy that puts honoring God above honoring our neighbors including parents. If we are asked to do something sinful (which unnecesry servile work on Sundays is), we are not to obey.

I would tell my parents respectfully and kindly that I would be happy to scrub the bathroom floors on Monday, but today is Sunday, the Lord’s Day, which we are commanded to keep this day holy and spend it honoring God and rest from unnecessary servile work.

They might get mad the first time, but you must stand your ground. I would suggest doing an extra household chore that’s particularly unpleasant or demanding that your parents would do, so they also benefit from you not doing servile work on Sunday. Then you also do a greater act of charity towards your parents.

We don’t know the situation.

It’s possible in the OP’s family that due to jobs or school, no one is able to do housework/chores during the week, including on Monday, and that’s why the parents are asking the daughter to help with housework on the only day available, Sunday.

The PARENTS have the call here, not an online community that has no idea how the OP’s family is situated. It is wrong of us to criticize the parents, and make it appear to a young person as though her parents are trying to make her commit sin. This could cast doubts in the girl’s mind about her parents, and cause her to doubt their “goodness” and possibly rebel against other perfectly legitimate requests that they make of her. We are wrong to try to come between a child and a parent.

Remember that the Lord Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites because they called certain acts violation of the Sabbath, but they allowed someone to rescue their animal if the animal was in trouble. Jesus said that healing on the Sabbath was not a violation of the Sabbath rest. Doesn’t it make sense that helping out the family/parents is also not a violation of the Sunday rest?

 

[Seraphim73]

Get off your butt and do what your parents tell you to do, period.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

My parents want me to do some housecleaning today- scrubbing the bathroom and whatnot. I try to make it a point not to work on Sundays (I did all my homework yesterday) but I know you’re supposed to honor your parents, and honestly, I don’t want to deal with that kind of an argument right now. I’m going to Mass tonight; can I obey my parents’ wishes and still receive Communion?

Today, (Sunday) My wife and I have:
1 Changed 4 Diapers.
2 Folded 2 loads of laundry.
3 Done 2 loads of Dishes Breakfast and Lunch for the 6 people who are in our family.
4 Wiped 2 bottoms (separate from the diapers)
5 Bought dinner and Lunch from the store after Mass.
6 Picked up the floor (toys ad trash and such)
7 Took the trash to the curb (early monday morning pickup)
8 Watching 2 football games
9 Day aint over yet, we still have dinner and baths and Family Adoration and Benediction.

Now, here is where scrupulosity just does not make sense to me. By asking your question you are condemning others, including myself as committing grave matter and being unworthy of the Eucharist. You are calling me a desecrator.

It is my belief that many times scrupulocity is on par with OCD. But it can also be a form of pridefulness and boasting.
And like OCD many times employing logic can help with the problem. Do you think the God of our faith. Jesus Christ Himself would condemn you to hell for helping the household when your parents ask? Man, that makes absolutely no sense, and rather than breaking the command of keeping Sunday a Holy day, you are dangerously close to breaking the command to honor your parents…

 

[z_0101]

Today, (Sunday) My wife and I have:
…
Now, here is where scrupulosity just does not make sense to me. By asking your question you are condemning others, including myself as committing grave matter and being unworthy of the Eucharist. You are calling me a desecrator.

It is my belief that many times scrupulocity is on par with OCD. But it can also be a form of pridefulness and boasting.
And like OCD many times employing logic can help with the problem. Do you think the God of our faith. Jesus Christ Himself would condemn you to hell for helping the household when your parents ask? Man, that makes absolutely no sense, and rather than breaking the command of keeping Sunday a Holy day, you are dangerously close to breaking the command to honor your parents…

Backed by at least one other father!