Mowing the Lawn on Sunday

[Simca]

I’ve always liked what St. Paul said in Romans 14:5

“One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”

Then there’s Colossians 2:16

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.”

I guess these verses could also apply to mowing the lawn on Sunday…?

 

[frangiuliano115]

An appropriate bible passage for this would be:

Mark 2: 23-28

I’ll quote only Mark 2:27:

"And He (Jesus) was saying to them, ““The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.””

God bless

 

[DaveBj]

I don’t mow on Sundays; my preferred afternoon activity after getting home from Mass is to take a nap. However, for me, mowing would consist of sitting and steering, hardly backbreaking physical labor. In addition, my ear protectors double as earphones; I can plug in my .mp3 player, select the praise music folder, and worship while I’m mowing.

 

[Bookcat]

I’ve always liked what St. Paul said in Romans 14:5

“One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”

Then there’s Colossians 2:16

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.”

I guess these verses could also apply to mowing the lawn on Sunday…?

They are rather directed to the Jewish Christians of the first century…and those gentles Christians who looked to them…

NOT about the Lords Day.

As the early Christian martyr said about the Lords Day - “without the Lords Day we cannot live!”

 

[Bookcat]

An appropriate bible passage for this would be:

Mark 2: 23-28

I’ll quote only Mark 2:27:

"And He (Jesus) was saying to them, ““The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.””

God bless

And the Lords Day is not the Sabbath… but replaces it…

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c1a3.htm#I

But yes there can be good reasons to mow on a particular Lords Day.

So for example lets say that someone out of necessity just had to mow that day …or out of charity an elderly person needed the lawn mowed that day for some reason so one helped them…necessity and charity can be reasons to set aside the rest for the moment.

 

[Bookcat]

Catechism

A day of grace and rest from work

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

and:

2042 The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor”) requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.82

 

[Simca]

If the cook/meal preparer rested on Sunday, everyone would starve.

But if you go out to eat instead, then are you condoning others working on Sunday?

As very orthodox Jewish people do, they hire Gentiles to come into their home on Saturdays, lest, even turning on a light switch might break the Sabbath. Maybe Gentiles should hire Jewish people to come into their homes on Sundays…?

Is there a smiley face which illustrates splitting hairs?

 

[Jeannie52]

You’re right and that’s because there is no clear cut answer.

God always looks at the heart of the person. The priest in post no. 2 couldn’t possibly know the heart of the man cutting the grass on a Sunday.

The commandment is to keep holy the Lord’s day. One could be cutting the grass and NOT keeping the Lord’s day holy because all he’s going to do all day is work and not spend time with either God or his family.

Another person could be cutting the grass, for reasons given by other posters above, and then plan to spend time with his family, his God and devote the day to keeping it “holy”.

It’s always the heart.

God bless

This makes so much sense and I thank you for sharing this.

I keep thinking…who are each of us to judge if someone we see doing something on the Lord’s day and that person isn’t keeping the day Holy? I don’t know another person’s responsibilities because it is none of my business and even if I did know someone elses responsibilities I would not judge them because I do not want to be judged.

 

[Bookcat]

The priest in post no. 2 couldn’t possibly know the heart of the man cutting the grass on a Sunday.

Yes the Priest in my example was simply commenting in general…(maybe as way to instruct his young disciple at the time…) and not getting into possible exceptions. Like saying I hope that person driving so much over the speed limit is not my parishioner! He does not need to add - unless of course he is driving his dying wife to the er…(safely)…

 

[Bookcat]

This makes so much sense and I thank you for sharing this.

I keep thinking…who are each of us to judge if someone we see doing something on the Lord’s day and that person isn’t keeping the day Holy? I don’t know another person’s responsibilities because it is none of my business and even if I did know someone elses responsibilities I would not judge them because I do not want to be judged.

It is not a question of judging another person…but of answering the question as to the matter itself. And because the person asked

We have discussed the principles involved…and when there are exceptions etc. And what we think of the matter itself.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I have always mowed on Sundays. First it was practical. Trash came on Monday and I don’t like clippings sitting around for a few days to stink up my garage. Then it became more therapeutic. I enjoy mowing the lawn. I always have. I find great joy in it. Then it became routine. Even in the fall. Wake up, pray, Go to Mass, cook a big breakfast with the family, Mow, Watch football and thank God for my life…

It is a family day for us. We don’t make plans or work, we rest, like God intended. We Re-create. And part of that is mowing the lawn with my kids following me around and then throwing a ball on the fresh cut grass in between games… Nothing could be more Holy and Honoring of God than our Sundays…

 

[frangiuliano115]

This makes so much sense and I thank you for sharing this.

I keep thinking…who are each of us to judge if someone we see doing something on the Lord’s day and that person isn’t keeping the day Holy? I don’t know another person’s responsibilities because it is none of my business and even if I did know someone elses responsibilities I would not judge them because I do not want to be judged.

AMEN to that!

“First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Mathew 7:5

God bless

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Having to mow grass most likely means you own a house or less likely rent one. If you perceive yourself as being forced to mow on Sunday because of other commitments maybe it is worth considering renting something that doesn’t require your time on Sunday’s to keep up. It might be a matter of priorities.

Another consideration is that mowing disturbs your neighbors Sunday. Leaf blowers are the worst. It wasn’t long ago where I live that no Christians would mow the grass on Sundays. But times have changed.

Not really the case. I have both rented and owned homes. In EVERY house I have rented I have paid more than what a mortgage would be for the same house AND had to mow the lawn. I think it is odd to think that Sunday Mowing is indicative of living beyond your means.

 

[frangiuliano115]

Not really the case. I have both rented and owned homes. In EVERY house I have rented I have paid more than what a mortgage would be for the same house AND had to mow the lawn. I think it is odd to think that Sunday Mowing is indicative of living beyond your means.

My thought exactly when I read the post.

God bless

 

[Kelfa28]

Not really the case. I have both rented and owned homes. In EVERY house I have rented I have paid more than what a mortgage would be for the same house AND had to mow the lawn. I think it is odd to think that Sunday Mowing is indicative of living beyond your means.

While my husband and I haven’t had to mow lawns while renting…paying rent is often way more expensive in the long run (especially depending where you live) then having a mortgage.

Plus, it really isn’t out of the question to have to mow a lawn…especially if you are renting a house.

Even just suggesting that one should give up a family home just because we could potentially be disrespecting the Lord’s day because it was the only feasible day to mow the lawn (a situation my husband has been in more then once thanks to his rotating work schedule, rainy days and other commitments)…or do weeding, rake leaves, shovel the driveway…or whatever…is outrageous at best.

I’m floored that it was even suggested.

 

[Kelfa28]

For us…mowing the lawn has become a family thing anyway.

My husband would get the girls outside and would go mow the lawn in the morning. The girls liked running after him and playing around in the yard while the grass got a “haircut”.

 

[on_the_hill]

I had planned to mow tomorrow (Sunday) but I did it this evening. Hopefully that doesn’t violate any rules about the vigil.

Now that the grass is done I’m free to help my wife clean out the garage tomorrow. Now that will be servile labor, and I don’t know who I’d rather face on the Judgement Day: the Good Lord or my wife, because if I refused to help her on the grounds that tomorrow is the Sabbath, my judgement day would come a whole lot sooner than I anticipated. And you know what they say about Hell’s fury and a woman scorned.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I had planned to mow tomorrow (Sunday) but I did it this evening. Hopefully that doesn’t violate any rules about the vigil.

Now that the grass is done I’m free to help my wife clean out the garage tomorrow. Now that will be servile labor, and I don’t know who I’d rather face on the Judgement Day: the Good Lord or my wife, because if I refused to help her on the grounds that tomorrow is the Sabbath, my judgement day would come a whole lot sooner than I anticipated. And you know what they say about Hell’s fury and a woman scorned.

 

[pianistclare]

I had planned to mow tomorrow (Sunday) but I did it this evening. Hopefully that doesn’t violate any rules about the vigil.

Now that the grass is done I’m free to help my wife clean out the garage tomorrow. Now that will be servile labor, and I don’t know who I’d rather face on the Judgement Day: the Good Lord or my wife, because if I refused to help her on the grounds that tomorrow is the Sabbath, my judgement day would come a whole lot sooner than I anticipated. And you know what they say about Hell’s fury and a woman scorned.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

I’m working Saturday night and Sunday night. That 440lb patient isn’t going to get on a bed pan by herself. I promise that riding a lawn mower is much easier. I did go to the vigil Mass, but I was horrible because I left right after receiving communion. There was a baptiam , so it took longer and I had to get a nap a 1 1/2 hour nap in before work. I guess I need to change jobs, since people need to sell their houses.