Making others work on the Sabbath?

[BKD]

I am wondering about the gravity of making others work on the sabbath. For example I spent the Sunday going to museums which are open all day. I feel guilty about making other’s work on Sunday.

Am I just being scrupulous?

Aside from the Catechism and JP2’s Dies Domini, is there anything else anyone can suggest for me to read to better inform my conscience on this?

Sometimes I feel like Catholics don’t take Sundays seriously enough as a day of rest, and a day that we don’t make others work.

 

[seekdatruth]

I feel guilty about making other’s work on Sunday.

Sometimes I feel like Catholics don’t take Sundays seriously enough as a day of rest, and a day that we don’t make others work.

I think you have a good point. Some people work jobs they fear they would loose if they refused to work on Sunday, mine is one of them (waitressing). At the moment, it is the only job I can find here, and my family depends on it. Sunday is our busiest day, since everyone likes to stop in after church services. I’ve been guilty of this myself, but now realize what I was doing seems wrong. In the future, i personally will not being dining out on Sundays, even when I can afford to again.
I’m interested to see what some other responses will be on this.

 

[Benjamin8o8]

I think you have a good point. Some people work jobs they fear they would loose if they refused to work on Sunday, mine is one of them (waitressing). At the moment, it is the only job I can find here, and my family depends on it. Sunday is our busiest day, since everyone likes to stop in after church services. I’ve been guilty of this myself, but now realize what I was doing seems wrong. In the future, i personally will not being dining out on Sundays, even when I can afford to again.
I’m interested to see what some other responses will be on this.

I very like how the system works here in Germany. Basically all stores are closed on Sunday, I am very pleased with how Germany worked this out. But I must admit, in the begining when I moved here it was hard to get used to because I don`t think the USA even knows what the Sabath is

 

[BKD]

but now realize what I was doing seems wrong.

In light of what the Catechism says I don’t think you are doing something wrong, but those who are coming to your restaurant who are Catholic or Christian, just because they are lazy and don’t want to make breakfast at home might be doing something wrong. Visitors coming from out of town who are staying at hotels or have some other mitigating circumstance are probably not doing something wrong by eating at a restaurant on Sunday, especially if they do not have another way of getting food. See the Catechism quotes below in bold.

I always do my shopping on other days of the week so I am prepared for Sunday. I almost never will go out to a restaurant on an Sunday. If I do, it is because someone might be visiting and I don’t want to prepare a meal, or because I have pressure from family or friends to do so.

**CCC 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.

CCC 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.**

 

[Joannm]

It is not sinful to make others work on Sunday. If it were my pastor would be committing a sin because he makes me work every Sunday and Holy Day. I would have loved to just attend Mass during the Triduum instead of running around like crazy. Maybe when I retire. When we were kids Sunday was family day and that often meant going out to dinner. It was wonderful and I cherish those memories.

 

[Neithan]

I am wondering about the gravity of making others work on the sabbath. For example I spent the Sunday going to museums which are open all day. I feel guilty about making other’s work on Sunday.

Am I just being scrupulous?

Aside from the Catechism and JP2’s Dies Domini, is there anything else anyone can suggest for me to read to better inform my conscience on this?

Sometimes I feel like Catholics don’t take Sundays seriously enough as a day of rest, and a day that we don’t make others work.

I don’t think you are being scrupulous, but the Cathechism says “traditional activites” are exempt from the Sunday rest, and so you could just say that visiting a museum is a “traditional activity.”

I think the whole “traditional activities” thing is a morally ambiguous loophole (I started another thread about it). I even wonder if using these forums on Sunday isn’t somehow violating the Sunday obligation. Moderators here on a Catholic website have to work on Sunday, how ironic is that!?

 

[seekdatruth]

“traditional activites” are exempt from the Sunday rest, and so you could just say that visiting a museum is a “traditional activity.”

I think the whole “traditional activities” thing is a morally ambiguous loophole (I started another thread about it). I even wonder if using these forums on Sunday isn’t somehow violating the Sunday obligation. Moderators here on a Catholic website have to work on Sunday, how ironic is that!?

Yes, having a loophole for something doesn’t usually satisfy the conscience. I’m not one to tell others what to do, so all I can do is state my opinion and follow my conscience in the absence of a clear-cut instruction from the Magisterium. Others can follow my example or not. I am in no position to condemn.
My beef with being a patron at a business on Sunday is that it contributes to employers wanting to* require* workers to come in on Sundays to make that extra buck, and reciprocally the employees feeling the obligation to do so if they want to keep their jobs. Some jobs, (eg. firefighting, medical professionals, police, etc.) are needed 24/7, but selling shoes or pizzas??
About the moderators here: I wonder if they consider it “work”? I enjoy helping others, Sunday or not. Some might consider gardening “work”, but I find it mentally relaxing, and sometimes choose to do it on Sundays as well.
God bless!

 

[DaveBj]

That’s the main reason why I don’t like to go out to eat on Sunday after Mass, or stop by Wally World to pick up milk, or whatever. Granted, the people who are working pro’ly don’t give a fig about working on Sunday, but I don’t want to be the cause of it.

DaveBj