How much work can we do on Sunday?

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Monica4316

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before it becomes a mortal sin?

I usually don’t do any work on Sunday, really… sometimes during the school year I would do homework late in the evening… but during the day, I just rested, read spiritual books, met up with people, etc.

Well today though it seems I’ve been doing a lot of “work”. I tidied up my room, and I don’t know if that’s wrong or not, I didn’t HAVE to do that. But then, my mom asked me to wash a lot of dishes (by hand, we don’t have a dishwasher), go to the grocery store and buy a whole bunch of potatoes (I walked and the potatoes were heavy), then cut up the potatoes and some other things and make dinner for the family. That took several hours of “work” I guess… I’m kind of scrupulous so I don’t know… did I sin? are we allowed to do things like that on Sunday? I remember I asked my priest before and he said to avoid physical labor… but all the things I did today seemed to fit that description :confused: or even if that was wrong, was it not a mortal sin because I did this to help my mom, and because she asked me to?

any thoughts? 🤷 thanks… I really don’t know what to think about this. I still have quite a bit to do today, unfortunately 😦 I don’t want to break the Commandment though…for example I have to do laundry, and then spend several hours formatting files on my computer. (not really any physical work but still a type of work).
 
These a a few excerpts from the Catechism that may help you:

2173 The Gospel reports many incidents when Jesus was accused of violating the sabbath law. But Jesus never fails to respect the holiness of this day. He gives this law its authentic and authoritative interpretation: “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.” With compassion, Christ declares the sabbath for doing good rather than harm, for saving life rather than killing. The sabbath is the day of the Lord of mercies and a day to honor God. “The Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

2184 Just as God “rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done,” human life has a rhythm of work and rest. the institution of the Lord’s Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives.

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. Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. the faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health.

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.

The full section of the Catechism is here: vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7O.HTM
 
HI,
Before Vatican Council II, we were taught that about 15 minutes was ok.
And 2 1/2 to 3 hours was a serious sin. Anything between was a venial sin.
However there are circumstances which could change this. But this was sort of the norm or guide to go by.
 
Yes, what you did was work.

I avoid diswashing, laundry, cooking, webpage making, on sundays.

I ate what was a leftover from yesterday, or prepare it before hand. (Remember the manna story in the bible, where Israel wasn’t allowed to collect manna on Sabbath, but ate what was collected before)

I just rest and read some spiritual reading, do works of mercy.

Just avoid sin, I do not know whether it is mortal or venial.

Both mortal or venial sin are hideous.

But yes, you should avoid mortal sin. After that venial. And choose what is most perfect (neither choosing riches over poverty, health over sickness, honor over humiliation, a long life over a short life, but in whatever you do you choose what is most perfect)

Thus you will attain perfection and be holy.

And no, you shouldn’t obey your mother but disobeying God’s command. God is to be loved above all things. Above your mother. Tell it gently, she will understand.
 
I had a short discussion about this topic in the confessional over the weekend.

Father talked about the letter of the law verses the spirit of the law. According to him, some work on Sunday is absolutely permitted as long as the spirit of limiting some activities with the intention of keeping the Sabbath holy was incorporated.
 
Yesterday I dug up a sidewalk and took the pieces to the dump…for safety’s sake. Two of my children tripped on it and had to be taken to the ER or doctor for gashing their foreheads within the last year. Was it a mortal sin to have removed the sidewalk on a Sunday so that my children were safe, or should I have done it on another day?
 
MtnDwellar,
“some work” is permitted:confused: Don’t listen to him. The Lord’s day is a complete rest. Acts of mercy is permitted though, like giving alms to poor people, in imitation of Jesus.

For Craig,
you can do it some other day. Saturday is a good option. Sorry for your kids.

This is from the Catechism of the Catholic Church from vatican.va

On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound . . . to abstain from those labors and business concerns which impede the worship to be rendered to God, the joy which is proper to the Lord’s Day, or the proper relaxation of mind and body" (CIC, can. 1247).

2195 Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord’s Day

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.
 
Excellent thread. I have been wondering lately about whether we can shop on Sundays. I mean grocery shopping, mostly.

I was advised during confession by one priest that shopping on Sunday should be avoided. Then I was told by another priest in a subsequent confession session that the restriction was only for menial labor, but not for shopping. Since I’m not earning a wage by shopping, it’s not forbidden.

Naturally, I want to follow the guidance of the second priest, but I’m not sure I’m totally comfortable with it.
 
Blue_Eyes said:
Excellent thread. I have been wondering lately about whether we can shop on Sundays. I mean grocery shopping, mostly.

I was advised during confession by one priest that shopping on Sunday should be avoided. Then I was told by another priest in a subsequent confession session that the restriction was only for menial labor, but not for shopping. Since I’m not earning a wage by shopping, it’s not forbidden.

Naturally, I want to follow the guidance of the second priest, but I’m not sure I’m totally comfortable with it.
Click to expand...
I was told in RCIA it’s okay to shop, as long as it does not stop you from attending Mass and spending time focused on the Lord. Sometimes Sundays are the only day it is possible, especially for those who work or have other commitments.
 
I don’t think you can shop on sunday. How about saturday, it is a holiday:)

Our Lord’s day is supposed to be a complete rest, acts of mercy is allowed.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone…I hope I didn’t commit a mortal sin 😦 I’ll ask my priest in Confession tomorrow… I am not sure how I could have avoided this work without starting a huge argument with my mom which might also have been a sin 😦 trust me if I had said “no I can’t do this because it’s Sunday”, even if I said it very gently, - the result would not have been good. Does the fact that I did this without total consent and full knowledge, make it a venial sin? I’ll confess it being open to it being a mortal sin and will ask my priest what he thinks. I’ll try to just avoid any work on Sunday from now on.

God bless
 
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