Shopping on Sunday...Sin?

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briang72

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Recently I came across an examination of conscience that listed shopping on Sunday as a mortal sin. I have found other forums online that suggest eating at restaurants on Sunday is also sinful. I told my confessor this today and he laughed about it and said “excuse me, shopping and eating out, grave?”

I ask your thoughts. I was never taught this, and was shocked to see it on an examination of conscience. I am aware of our duty to keep the Lord’s day holy, and that we shouldn’t hinder anyone else from keeping the Lord’s day holy, but this was difficult to swallow after 35 years of not knowing it to be sinful at all, let alone grave matter.
 
I think if we look at the underlying reasons that Sunday should be set aside for the Lord and for His works, it makes more sense.

We’re allowed to do some things like this, but our habitual actions cause others to have to work on Sunday, thus keeping them from their focus on God.

Reviewing such things (as you) did give me a shock. While my behavior is far from perfect, my actions have changed to a degree. It’s progress!

As far as your confessor exhibiting surprise, I think we’ve all been coarsened a great deal by the secular world, priests included. Life has changed so much in the last 50 years or so, and Christianity and its habits have fallen from the public eye.
 
I vote “no.”

Perhaps we are causing others to work on Sundays but I don’t think that is causing them to sin, except to those who believe it’s a sin and those probably try to get Sundays off.

Of course there is a whole continuum from people who pretty much “have” to work on Sundays. For example, police and hospital workers at one end and maybe a waitress at a bar.at the other.

Alan
 
While some services, such as those mentioned, are necessary, I came to realise one day (a Sunday) that my personal refusal to work on Sunday was hypocritical if I were to make shopping a regular habit.

I do buy bread and milk, etc., and petrol if I forgot to do it Saturday, but for anything else, I ask myself if it is really a necessity or can it wait one more day. After reading Dies Domini, I am trying hard to organise myself to avoid shopping on Sunday.

Dies Domini:
[Christians]…are obliged in conscience to arrange their Sunday rest in a way which allows them to take part in the Eucharist, refraining from work and activities which are incompatible with the sanctification of the Lord’s Day, with its characteristic joy and necessary rest for spirit and body. (112)
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If we as Christians don’t honour Sunday as the Lord’s Day, we can’t expect non-Christians to believe that we are serious about our faith. Will we wait until some godless politicians legislate that we no longer have the right to have Sunday as our day of rest for religious reasons before we realise we have to be an example to others?

As for the priest, it sounds as though he has become de-sensitised by the pagan society we are living in, and has forgotten that we are called to be a sign of contradiction.
 
Our priest (my confessor) teaches us to avoid shopping and menial labor on Sunday. When someone says, “well what about…?”, he always says to plan a little better, so you don’t have to… Fill in the blank with: run to the store for some diapers; stop for gas; do laundry, etc.

It sounds like sound counsel to me, and it makes for a better day of rest. 👍
 
I find if I go to someplace like the grocery store or a Wal-mart on Sunday, that it is a real penance, which serves to remind me that
I shouldn’t be shopping on Sunday.
 
briang72 said:
Recently I came across an examination of conscience that listed shopping on Sunday as a mortal sin. I have found other forums online that suggest eating at restaurants on Sunday is also sinful. I told my confessor this today and he laughed about it and said “excuse me, shopping and eating out, grave?”

I ask your thoughts. I was never taught this, and was shocked to see it on an examination of conscience. I am aware of our duty to keep the Lord’s day holy, and that we shouldn’t hinder anyone else from keeping the Lord’s day holy, but this was difficult to swallow after 35 years of not knowing it to be sinful at all, let alone grave matter.
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briang72 said:
Recently I came across an examination of conscience that listed shopping on Sunday as a mortal sin. I have found other forums online that suggest eating at restaurants on Sunday is also sinful. I told my confessor this today and he laughed about it and said “excuse me, shopping and eating out, grave?”

I ask your thoughts. I was never taught this, and was shocked to see it on an examination of conscience. I am aware of our duty to keep the Lord’s day holy, and that we shouldn’t hinder anyone else from keeping the Lord’s day holy, but this was difficult to swallow after 35 years of not knowing it to be sinful at all, let alone grave matter.
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Let me try that again!

When I made my Confirmation, more that 50 years ago, my dad gave me a prayer book that included a chapter on each of the Seven Sacraments. The section on Penance included an examination of conscience a lot like the one you mentioned. While I was in high school, starting the next year, I learned that the prayer book reflected a very rigid approach to the Ten Commandments of God and the Seven Precepts of the Church. It actually did suggest that good Catholics should not eat in restaurants on Sundays, since that meant people who should keep the Lord’s Day holy had to work so that we could eat out. Father Arthur asked us, “If you stay home for Sunday dinner, doesn’t your mother have to do ‘servile work’?”

Fr. Arthur’s point was well taken. As he said, “One of the first principles of learning to obey God’s law and the Church’s rules is to apply that most noble of virtues: Common Sense.”
 
Yvon_Kermartin said:
Let me try that again!

When I made my Confirmation, more that 50 years ago, my dad gave me a prayer book that included a chapter on each of the Seven Sacraments. The section on Penance included an examination of conscience a lot like the one you mentioned. While I was in high school, starting the next year, I learned that the prayer book reflected a very rigid approach to the Ten Commandments of God and the Seven Precepts of the Church. It actually did suggest that good Catholics should not eat in restaurants on Sundays, since that meant people who should keep the Lord’s Day holy had to work so that we could eat out. **Father Arthur asked us, “If you stay home for Sunday dinner, doesn’t your mother have to do ‘servile work’?” **

Fr. Arthur’s point was well taken. As he said, “One of the first principles of learning to obey God’s law and the Church’s rules is to apply that most noble of virtues: Common Sense.”
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But, that work can be minimized with some forethought. There is no reason that Mom has to do everything from scratch on Sunday. Prep work can be done on Saturday, Crockpots are an option, etc., and the whole family can pitch in on Sunday and make it a family event. 👍

We are not perfect in that respect, but we do our best. I also push my kids to get any weekend homework and chores done before Sunday.

It is correct that you don’t need to take the “servile work” at home to an extreme, but I don’t think it is fair to impose it on others in the community in order to give Mom a break. Father Arthur’s “common sense” seems to be that it is okay to use “mother’s servile work” as an excuse to eat out. 😦
 
I thought a limited amount of servile work was ok. And if split up and not just on Mom, doesn’t it turn into an opportunity for the family to spend time on an activity of love together?
 
Just a thought on this subject.

I really like working in sales that put me in direct contact with many people. But, and it is a big but;) , the activity of using shopping as a family activity on Sunday causes many other family people to not spend Sunday with their families. Our kids go to school Monday - Friday, sports etc on Saturday leaves Sunday (the Lords day) as a day for leisure.

I quit my job because I was scheduled to work every Saturday & Sunday. These were my husbands days off and the only time we could spend with the children, grandchildren and family that do not live with us. Extended family becomes strangers in our society of 24/7 work weeks.

So IMHO one day should be chosen per week and set aside for ALL business to be closed even internet sales(exceptions are emergency services.) If this seems toooo extreme how about one weekend every month so families and friends can actually spend time with one another and just buy stuff.
 
Sheeniac said:
I thought a limited amount of servile work was ok. And if split up and not just on Mom, doesn’t it turn into an opportunity for the family to spend time on an activity of love together?
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👍 As long as it is with those you love and shared.👍
 
Just a few random thoughts:

This issue goes far beyond retail sales.

Do you like to spend Sunday afternoons reading the newspaper? It was delivered by somebody working on Sunday. Your Monday newspaper will be written by people working on Sunday.

Like to enjoy a nice movie on TV or listen to your favorite radio station on Sunday? People are working at those stations.

Movies? Swimming pool? The local gym? All require people to work in order to operate.

Traveling a long distance to visit someone? Somebody needs to work at the gas station so you can fill up to make it home. Do you travel to by bus, train, airplane? All require people to work.

How about going to a ball game? Ticket sellers, ushers, concession workers - even the athletes themselves if they are professionals - all work on Sunday to put on that game.

The point I am trying to make is that there are many, many people whose Sunday labor we rely on. Drawing the line between what is essential and non-essential is very difficult.

When I was in high school, I worked for a gas station and ended up having to work Easter Sunday morning. Not my first preference, obviously, but by going to the earliest Mass I was able to make it to work on time. Shortly after I opened, a friend of mine drove in with his parents. My friend’s mother commented to me how sad it was that I had to work on Easter…while I was filling their car with gas. 😊
 
I think what is being missed by many posters is that it’s not only the fact that many activities are causing others to work. It’s the fact that we are not honoring the Lord when we spend out time shopping as a hobby.

I doubt God would begrudge us to buy something we need that for whatever reason we didn’t get before. But when we do such as a hobby or pastime, that’s the problem.

The day is His, to do good works, spend time in prayer, visiting/fellowship, etc. Not shopping, etc.

It’s a guideline and a judgment call, not a strict do/don’t situation. But to say overall it isn’t a sin shows a lack of understanding of the reasoning behind it.
 
Glennon_P said:
Just a few random thoughts:

This issue goes far beyond retail sales.

Do you like to spend Sunday afternoons reading the newspaper? It was delivered by somebody working on Sunday. Your Monday newspaper will be written by people working on Sunday.
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Huh. I hadn’t thought of that one. Good thing we don’t get a paper. 😃
Like to enjoy a nice movie on TV or listen to your favorite radio station on Sunday? People are working at those stations.
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Good point. I will discuss that with the family. DVDs only!
Movies? Swimming pool? The local gym? All require people to work in order to operate.

Traveling a long distance to visit someone? Somebody needs to work at the gas station so you can fill up to make it home. Do you travel to by bus, train, airplane? All require people to work.

How about going to a ball game? Ticket sellers, ushers, concession workers - even the athletes themselves if they are professionals - all work on Sunday to put on that game.
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We already refrain from all of those on Sunday. Except the visiting someone…we make sure we have enough gas on Saturday. It just takes a little forethought.
The point I am trying to make is that there are many, many people whose Sunday labor we rely on. Drawing the line between what is essential and non-essential is very difficult.

When I was in high school, I worked for a gas station and ended up having to work Easter Sunday morning. Not my first preference, obviously, but by going to the earliest Mass I was able to make it to work on time. Shortly after I opened, a friend of mine drove in with his parents. My friend’s mother commented to me how sad it was that I had to work on Easter…while I was filling their car with gas. 😊
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Sheeniac said:
I think what is being missed by many posters is that it’s not only the fact that many activities are causing others to work. It’s the fact that we are not honoring the Lord when we spend out time shopping as a hobby.

I doubt God would begrudge us to buy something we need that for whatever reason we didn’t get before. But when we do such as a hobby or pastime, that’s the problem.

The day is His, to do good works, spend time in prayer, visiting/fellowship, etc. Not shopping, etc.

It’s a guideline and a judgment call, not a strict do/don’t situation. But to say overall it isn’t a sin shows a lack of understanding of the reasoning behind it.
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Your hobby comment works for shopping, but not for eating out. Eating out with friends/family, or even meeting at Starbucks for coffee together, could be considered fellowship. We don’t do it.

You are correct it is a guideline, and if something essential was needed at a store (diapers, feminine products, medicine, etc.), then it is probably not a big deal. We need to do our best in observing Sunday though.
 
Just imagine -

Wouldn’t it be awesome if we COULD use a little (or a lot of) forethought into planning and have ONE DAY a week to do nothing but prayer and fellowship - find true rest and refreshment? Some must work, but those of us who do not have to, why not do what it takes to have ONE really FREE day a week?!

God is GOOD! “Man was not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath for Man…” (Jesus)

Praise GOD for HIS forethought!!!

:bowdown:
 
I am someone who has little time to myself. I find it relaxing to walk through the mall and just look around. I stop for an ice cream now and then. YES, on Sunday!!!

How well I remember when no stores were open on Sunday. We were living in Iowa when the law was lifted and many people were thrilled that they could shop on sunday. Others were angry. I was happy because I had lots of little children and had a difficult time shopping during the week. My hubby was gone ALL THE TIME except part of the weekend. While I would have preferred weekday shopping, I welcomed Sunday shopping…I no longer had to give my list to the neighbor or depend on a neighbor to give me a ride to the store with small children in tow.

There are enough sins out there for us to “commit”, please don’t put another one on the list. I just cannot believe that God is standing by with an ever growing list either. Perhaps He would prefer we all do the best we can do in all we do rather than worry about thinking up ways to make others comply to our idea of right and wrong. One can keep holy the Sabbath and run to the store. I have experienced enough “guilt” over the years, don’t need more, thank you very much!!

Love and peace,
Mom of 5
 
In the 40’s in my hometown of about 300 people stores and restaurants were closed on Sunday. We had two drug stores which alternated Sundays open as well as gas stations which also took turns being open. Interestingly bars or beer gardens were usually open on Sunday but package liquor sales were unlawful on Sunday.
 
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