Refusal to work on Sunday - hypocritical?

[DJE]

Hi all,

New to this forum - hope I’ve posted in the right place.

I have just been offered a job and it states in the terms and conditions that I should be “flexible” in my working hours and that on occasions I should be prepared to work on “normal days off”. I have responded by saying that I would be prepared to work on occasional Saturdays but not on a Sunday.

However, on Sundays I watch TV, I heat my home, sometimes go out for a meal and if I fell seriously ill I would expect to be treated in hospital. All these things require others to work so am I being a hypocrite by refusing to work on Sunday yet enjoying the fruits of the Sunday working of others?

David.

 

[catholica]

Leisure is specifically mentioned in the Catechism. My personal approach would be to let the employer know that if it were indeed only occasional - and there was a real, unexpexted need, then you’d be open to helping on Sunday.

And just fyi, here are a couple sections from the Catechism

•             [                 Part 3, Section 2, Chapter 1, Article 3, SubSection 2, Heading 5                 ](http://www.kofc.org/publications/cis/catechism/getsection.cfm?partnum=3&SecNum=2&ChapNum=1&articlenum=3&ParSecNum=0&subSecNum=2&headernum=5&ParNum=2187&ParType=a)*
                  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. 
                                                            *                 [                 Part 3, Section 2, Chapter 1, Article 3, SubSection 2, Heading 5                 ](http://www.kofc.org/publications/cis/catechism/getsection.cfm?partnum=3&SecNum=2&ChapNum=1&articlenum=3&ParSecNum=0&subSecNum=2&headernum=5&ParNum=2188&ParType=a)*
                  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](http://www.kofc.org/publications/cis/catechism/getnote.cfm?ParNum=2188&FNoteNum=125)

 

[Kristen]

I think the key distinction is if Sunday work is necessary or not.

For example, my friend is a nurse and she often works on Sundays (and sometimes Saturdays, too, so she may even miss Mass!), but that is acceptable because people’s lives are under her care. She avoids missing Mass, but sometimes it cannot be helped.

On the other hand, my DH is a teacher. Life will not end if he does not grade or plan lectures on Sunday, so he has a firm policy not to do any school work on Sunday.

So, the answer would depend on whether your job is a life-or-death situation or not. After all, there are plenty of godless folks who would have no reason to avoid Sunday work, so why not let them do it instead?! At the very least, if you must work a Sunday, it is best to try to take some significant “downtime” for prayer and rest at some other time that week. That’s they way God wants it for our benefit.

Hope this helps.

 

[Asbestos_Mango]

I work Sundays- every Sunday. I’m a massage therapist, and I don’t make much money. It is a financial necessity, since it’s a profession where the highest number of people would want my services on weekends- if I wasn’t willing to work Sundays, I wouldn’t be able to make ends meet. Of course, the office is an easy walk from the parish, so I just go in after divine liturgy.

I would say, be willing to work Sundays, but only after a certain time so you can attend mass/liturgy. Then, if possible, attend a mass during the week. I’ve started attending a Teusday evening mass at a parish not far from where I work (not my own, but I don’t think God minds).

We live in a world where any activity that isn’t a money-making activity is regarded as recreational and unnecessary, and that includes family and religious obligations. It’s sad, but we have to learn to deal with it. Often, being willing to work Sundays can mean the difference between having a job and being unemployed.

Trust me, God understands

 

[cheeto1]

What matters is this: If you decide not to work on Sunday,
then do it for the Lord.
If you decide To work on Sunday, then
do it for the Lord.