Keeping holy the Sabbath - help?

  • Thread starter Thread starter yellowbicycle
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Y

yellowbicycle

Guest
What does this mean, exactly?
In a practical sense - what should one do differently on Sunday to keep it holy that they don’t do on other days?
If there’s a tract or a link somewhere, that would be great, too.
There’s going to Mass, sure.
But, what else? Rest? I went to my nephew’s b-day party last Sunday.
There were gaggles of screaming two year olds.
There was no rest.
Much joy, but no rest.
Is that keeping holy the sabbath?
What about housework? There is housework to do pretty much non-stop around here. I can assure you that not doing laundry for even a day causes me great headache.
Again, any concrete info would be great, thanks!
 
Well, rest just doesn’t happen for families with young children! But one tries! Here is the official word on Sunday as a day of grace and rest from work from the Catechism of the Catholic Church

2184 Just as God "rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done,"121 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.122

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.123 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.

The charity of truth seeks holy leisure- the necessity of charity accepts just work.124
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.

2188 In respecting religious liberty and the common good of all, Christians should seek recognition of Sundays and the Church’s holy days as legal holidays. They have to give everyone a public example of prayer, respect, and joy and defend their traditions as a precious contribution to the spiritual life of society. If a country’s legislation or other reasons require work on Sunday, the day should nevertheless be lived as the day of our deliverance which lets us share in this “festal gathering,” this "assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven."125

2189 “Observe the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Deut 5:12). “The seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord” (Ex 31:15).
 
Thank you Trishie, that was very helpful!
And yes, you’re right - with little children there is NO rest!
(I actually should be doing dishes right now!)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top