Recreation on a Sunday

[JimR-OCDS]

That’s how gardening is for me- it’s relaxing and it’s something I do as a hobby, not something I do because I need to do it.

But that’s kind of where I’m confused. Are we supposed to avoid physical work even when we enjoy it and view it more as relaxation/entertainment and feel more fulfilled for having done it?

We’re suppose to avoid servile work, not physical work per se.

Farmers still have to milk and feed cows on Sundays.

People working in retail often have to work on Sundays.

From the Catholic Dictionary

SERVILE WORK

Originally the work done by serfs from which they were freed on Sundays and holy days in order to worship God. Until recently, servile work, forbidden on Sundays, was work that was chiefly physical. At present servile work is heavy manual labor, or such work as in a given society people commonly associate with strenuous effort and do not engage in when they have the freedom to avoid it. Implicit in the Church’s prohibition of servile work on Sundays is fidelity to the divine commandment to keep holy the Sabbath. This means avoiding activities that would hinder renewal of soul and body, i.e., needless work or business, unnecessary shopping or housekeeping.

Jim

 

[Sarcelle]

We’re suppose to avoid servile work, not physical work per se.

Farmers still have to milk and feed cows on Sundays.

People working in retail often have to work on Sundays.

From the Catholic Dictionary

Jim

People who work in the freight business, truckers, railroaders, also have to work Sundays.

Not everyone has the luxury of a 40 hour work week with the weekends off. Some of us have crazy schedules which involves working on Sundays.

Now please do not go about giving the flip answer of “so find another job”. If only it were as easy as that.

 

[Bookcat]

What about hunting? or fishing?

I’ve tried to get an answer in regards to hunting and fishing on Sunday, … I do not hunt or fish on Sundays, and not only is hunting and fishing recreation for me, but I use the meat to supplement what we buy. I sure wish I could get an answer to this.

One thought that came to me in addition for consideration:

I personally would shy away from hunting (I do not hunt though to begin with) from simply the perspective of violently killing the animal for sport. That is my thought. But others may judge it differently.

(though I suppose you may get a text from a fish …“hey that hook too can’t we call that too rather violent?”…)

Read the various texts on the Lords Day in the Catechism etc and make a prudential judgment (perhaps discuss with your confessor noting those texts).

I took a look at some older works of moral theology - when things where more strict in terms of what could and could not be done in the Lords Day - and I noted that hunting and fishing were included among things that could be done. So I add that as a footnote for the discussion.

What does the CCC say about the rest proper to the day?

Catechism states as follows:

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.

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c1a3.htm#II

Differing persons may come to a differing prudential judgement as to what practically is not fitting to the Lords Day and what is. But the above and other documents from the Church would be the sources to inform those judgments. Avoiding a lax “anything I like goes” as well as any undue concern or scruples (even of the most temporary and passing nature that many a good conscience can stumble upon in seeking the right path).

Just because XYZ is a leisure activity or a sport does not make it fitting for the Lord’s Day. One must use prudence -good Christian judgement. Guided by Faith and Love.