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MH84
Guest
Is it okay to study/do homework on Sunday if I am a student or would it be inappropriate (sinful?)
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Matt_Collins
Guest
Your question really got me thinking. So much so that I started a new thread on the whole topic of keeping holy the Sabbath, taking the Jewish approach as an example for us Christians.
We are not Jews, of course, and our approach is legitimately different from theirs. Still, their example is worth considering.
I don’t believe there is any strict prohibition against studying on Sunday. I find it hard to believe that it would be considered a sin. Still, I think it would be better if you were disciplined enough during the rest of the week to get all your studying done so that you can truly relax on Sunday and participate in the Mass without the distraction and worry about how much studying you have to do.
Still, studying is not physical labor, and I believe the prohibition against unnecessary work is more directed at physical (or servile) work than at intellectual work. On the other hand, in today’s world, “intellectual work”, such as the work a computer programmer or accountant does, would, I think, generally be prohibited by the commandment.
I think it all boils down to what the meaning of the word “necessary” is. It is a judgment call, but there are guidelines a good priest can propose for your consideration.
As for me, I’m going to be much more strict than I have been in the past. I’m also going to make a concerted effort to do some spiritual reading on Sundays and to avoid unnecessary trips to the store. My wife and I are trying to keep Sundays as a real day for family relaxation and recreation after, of course, attending Mass.
So I don’t have a direct answer for you. I think it’s a judgment call.
We are not Jews, of course, and our approach is legitimately different from theirs. Still, their example is worth considering.
I don’t believe there is any strict prohibition against studying on Sunday. I find it hard to believe that it would be considered a sin. Still, I think it would be better if you were disciplined enough during the rest of the week to get all your studying done so that you can truly relax on Sunday and participate in the Mass without the distraction and worry about how much studying you have to do.
Still, studying is not physical labor, and I believe the prohibition against unnecessary work is more directed at physical (or servile) work than at intellectual work. On the other hand, in today’s world, “intellectual work”, such as the work a computer programmer or accountant does, would, I think, generally be prohibited by the commandment.
I think it all boils down to what the meaning of the word “necessary” is. It is a judgment call, but there are guidelines a good priest can propose for your consideration.
As for me, I’m going to be much more strict than I have been in the past. I’m also going to make a concerted effort to do some spiritual reading on Sundays and to avoid unnecessary trips to the store. My wife and I are trying to keep Sundays as a real day for family relaxation and recreation after, of course, attending Mass.
So I don’t have a direct answer for you. I think it’s a judgment call.
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LilyM
Guest
There are two key things to remember here.
The first is that we are to avoid unnecessary work on a Sunday. Meaning that if you can comfortably do all your necessary study on the other six days of the week you should. Don’t know about you but I’ve met very few students who could manage that
The second is that the objection is mainly against what is termed servile work. That can mean physical labour (since an important objective of the Sabbath is of course to rest as God did). It can also mean paid work.
But again the stipulation is that both are to be avoided if unnecessary. So on the whole study on a Sunday doesn’t seem to be objectionable.
The first is that we are to avoid unnecessary work on a Sunday. Meaning that if you can comfortably do all your necessary study on the other six days of the week you should. Don’t know about you but I’ve met very few students who could manage that
The second is that the objection is mainly against what is termed servile work. That can mean physical labour (since an important objective of the Sabbath is of course to rest as God did). It can also mean paid work.
But again the stipulation is that both are to be avoided if unnecessary. So on the whole study on a Sunday doesn’t seem to be objectionable.
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Ma.Eugenia
Guest
Your post caught my eye because later today (Sunday), I have to attend a class because this is only time our professor is available to teach us. We need to finish our lessons because our Finals is this week.
I don’t think studying/doing homework on Sundays is sinful–for some students it is necessary to do this in order to pass tests, especially if its going to be given on a Monday.
I think it becomes a sin if **we have a choice to choose our class schedule ** (like if classes for one subject is offered on a weekday schedule) and we still opt to choose the Sunday schedule.
Also, I think we can finish all our studying by Saturday or Friday and have Sundays free–so much the better. We can make studying on Sundays an exception rather than the rule.
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MH84
Guest
Yeah, the problem I have a bit is that I could have studied previously, but I was lazy :tsktsk:. But I would think it also comes down to what would I be doing otherwise besides going to Mass, watching Catholic programing etc. Sleeping, watching tv, reading.
Would reading text books etc, and not writing be considered working on the Sabbath?
Would reading text books etc, and not writing be considered working on the Sabbath?
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Mirror_Mirror
Guest
I just wanted to point out that this was a very well thoughtout post. Great job! I was thinking about posting something, but this says it much better than I could. :clapping:There are two key things to remember here.
The first is that we are to avoid unnecessary work on a Sunday. Meaning that if you can comfortably do all your necessary study on the other six days of the week you should. Don’t know about you but I’ve met very few students who could manage that
The second is that the objection is mainly against what is termed servile work. That can mean physical labour (since an important objective of the Sabbath is of course to rest as God did). It can also mean paid work.
But again the stipulation is that both are to be avoided if unnecessary. So on the whole study on a Sunday doesn’t seem to be objectionable.
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andy120
Guest
Fr. Vincent Serpa answered this question on the Ask an Apologist board.
Are we allowed to do homework on a Sundays?
Are we allowed to do homework on a Sundays?
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Windmill
Guest
Fr Serpa says it’s not a sin, and an old Catholic Moral Theology book I have says it’s not, either.
That having been said, I chose to follow the example of Scott Hahn and not study on Sundays at all during dental school (equivalent of 35 college hours, plus labs, plus studying - intensely). If I had a test on Monday, I’d study hard on Friday and Saturday. If I had a project due on Monday, I’d plan my time out to get it done beforehand. On Sundays, I’d coast - and I loved it!
I believe, without a doubt, that God rewarded my honoring the Lord’s Day with a Magna Cum Laude degree from dental school. The few classmates that found out about my no-study Sundays thought I was crazy, but I was always quick to tell them, “You can’t outgive God.” I gave God my time and attention on Sunday and he helped me mangage my schedule to get the grades I needed.
If you want to do it, you can. Your situation can’t be worse than mine was.
That having been said, I chose to follow the example of Scott Hahn and not study on Sundays at all during dental school (equivalent of 35 college hours, plus labs, plus studying - intensely). If I had a test on Monday, I’d study hard on Friday and Saturday. If I had a project due on Monday, I’d plan my time out to get it done beforehand. On Sundays, I’d coast - and I loved it!
I believe, without a doubt, that God rewarded my honoring the Lord’s Day with a Magna Cum Laude degree from dental school. The few classmates that found out about my no-study Sundays thought I was crazy, but I was always quick to tell them, “You can’t outgive God.” I gave God my time and attention on Sunday and he helped me mangage my schedule to get the grades I needed.
If you want to do it, you can. Your situation can’t be worse than mine was.
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ltbpoe43
Guest
Lily and others hit the nail on the head -
unnecessary (could you have planned better - maybe)
servile labor (studying is more a gray matter labor so okay)
good luck in your studies and don’t forget to also pray on those days, attend mass, and ask for guidance.
I did like the no study sunday advice but not sure its for everyone
unnecessary (could you have planned better - maybe)
servile labor (studying is more a gray matter labor so okay)
good luck in your studies and don’t forget to also pray on those days, attend mass, and ask for guidance.
I did like the no study sunday advice but not sure its for everyone
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Smber2c
Guest
I have some sources that basically say the same as above: blue collar - not okay. White collar - okay. Studies fall under white collar.
I’ll look and see if I can locate the quotes.
Still, as someone else said, I think it’s great if one tries doing what Scott Hann did for 2 reasons. First, because Sunday is supposed to be for God and seldom do my studies keep me thinking of Him. So if studies are done, I can rest with God. Secondly, it’s a great way to own our flesh but killing that procrastinative bug that so many of us fall to.
I’ll look and see if I can locate the quotes.
Still, as someone else said, I think it’s great if one tries doing what Scott Hann did for 2 reasons. First, because Sunday is supposed to be for God and seldom do my studies keep me thinking of Him. So if studies are done, I can rest with God. Secondly, it’s a great way to own our flesh but killing that procrastinative bug that so many of us fall to.
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sgtpepper
Guest
My situation is a bit more confusing. I’m a film student, which means that some of the homework we do are productions. Would it be wrong then to shoot for a short video on a Sunday? Sometimes that’s the only common available day that my group mates and I have. It is manual labor in the sense that shooting is physical work, but it is for school and not for pay. Is shooting for a class production on a Sunday wrong or right? Thanks and God bless!
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rwoehmke
Guest
Father Serpa and the Manual are correct. Mental work on Sunday has always been quite alright, so obviously it comes down to a personal choice.
I do think, however that when one has a mental type job, like accounting or writing, all week that a Sunday change of pace is good for the body and the soul. Then in our two workers per household society sometimes Sunday has to be used for household chores.
When my children were young, ranging in age from 14 to 2 years old, I used to say, “Well we will relax, go to theater etc. when we catch up on the work.” That included gardens, maintenance, etc. One morning I woke up to the fact that in this life, the work would never be done. The family shifted gears and instead of chores after Mass we went swimming, sliding in the winter, to the park, fishing, just reading or dozing. It was wonderful to face Monday mornings relaxed and ready to go. The kids were very happy with the change.And yes, I am over 70 now and the “work” is still not done.
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loumanlm
Guest
Fr. Peter Scott answered this one:
Is one allowed to study on Sunday?
Answer: The important distinction to be observed in the keeping of the Sunday rest is between servile work, opera servilia and liberal works, opera liberalia. Note that the Church’s interdiction does not depend on the purpose, or reason for which the works are done, but on the nature of the work itself. Servile works performed out of charity are forbidden on Sundays, such a mowing a neighbor’s lawn or painting his garage, and liberal works are permitted, even if they are done for profit., such as painting pictures to sell.
You might wonder what the difference, then, is between servile work and liberal works, and why it is that servile works should be particularly forbidden. St. Thomas Aquinas explains in the Summa IIaIIae 122, a.4, Ad 3, that “servile work is so called from servitude; and servitude is threefold. One whereby man is the servant of sin, according to Jn8:34 ‘Whosever committeth sin is the servant of sin’, and in this case all sinful acts are servile. Another servitude is whereby one man serves another. Now one man serves another not with his mind, but with his body. Wherefore in this respect those works are called servile whereby one man serves another. The third is the servitude of God; and in this way the work of worship, which pertains to the service of God, may be called a servile work”.
Clearly Sundays are consecrated to the worship of God, and servile works in this third sense are not only permitted but obligatory. Also, servile works in the first sense of sin are always forbidden, but especially on Sunday, the day that is specially given to the greater glory of God. If servile works in the second sense of physical activities formerly done by servants are expressly forbidden on Sundays, it is because the preoccupation with such matters is a part of the punishment for original sin (Gen 3:19 “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread”) and hinders the soul from being elevated to the things of God, from contemplating eternity, and taking care of its eternal salvation and the greater glory of God. Not so the liberal arts, which express the soul’s elevation and consideration of beauty, truth and goodness in varying ways. The Sunday should consequently be used for the soul to express its freedom to know, love and serve God not only by participating in Holy Mass and the Church’s offices, and also by its exercise of and/or appreciation for the liberal arts. This is summarized by Jone: “Liberal and artistic works are also lawful: studying, teaching, drawing, architectural designing, playing, music, writing (also typing), painting, delicate sculpturing, embroidering, taking photographs. These works are lawful even if done for remuneration” (Moral Theology).
However, it may happen on occasion that even the liberal arts hinder the soul’s worship of God, when they are immoral or an occasion of sin, or if a person is so preoccupied with them that he no longer assists at Mass or attends to his spiritual duties. In such circumstances, study also becomes sinful on Sunday.
Is one allowed to study on Sunday?
Answer: The important distinction to be observed in the keeping of the Sunday rest is between servile work, opera servilia and liberal works, opera liberalia. Note that the Church’s interdiction does not depend on the purpose, or reason for which the works are done, but on the nature of the work itself. Servile works performed out of charity are forbidden on Sundays, such a mowing a neighbor’s lawn or painting his garage, and liberal works are permitted, even if they are done for profit., such as painting pictures to sell.
You might wonder what the difference, then, is between servile work and liberal works, and why it is that servile works should be particularly forbidden. St. Thomas Aquinas explains in the Summa IIaIIae 122, a.4, Ad 3, that “servile work is so called from servitude; and servitude is threefold. One whereby man is the servant of sin, according to Jn8:34 ‘Whosever committeth sin is the servant of sin’, and in this case all sinful acts are servile. Another servitude is whereby one man serves another. Now one man serves another not with his mind, but with his body. Wherefore in this respect those works are called servile whereby one man serves another. The third is the servitude of God; and in this way the work of worship, which pertains to the service of God, may be called a servile work”.
Clearly Sundays are consecrated to the worship of God, and servile works in this third sense are not only permitted but obligatory. Also, servile works in the first sense of sin are always forbidden, but especially on Sunday, the day that is specially given to the greater glory of God. If servile works in the second sense of physical activities formerly done by servants are expressly forbidden on Sundays, it is because the preoccupation with such matters is a part of the punishment for original sin (Gen 3:19 “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread”) and hinders the soul from being elevated to the things of God, from contemplating eternity, and taking care of its eternal salvation and the greater glory of God. Not so the liberal arts, which express the soul’s elevation and consideration of beauty, truth and goodness in varying ways. The Sunday should consequently be used for the soul to express its freedom to know, love and serve God not only by participating in Holy Mass and the Church’s offices, and also by its exercise of and/or appreciation for the liberal arts. This is summarized by Jone: “Liberal and artistic works are also lawful: studying, teaching, drawing, architectural designing, playing, music, writing (also typing), painting, delicate sculpturing, embroidering, taking photographs. These works are lawful even if done for remuneration” (Moral Theology).
However, it may happen on occasion that even the liberal arts hinder the soul’s worship of God, when they are immoral or an occasion of sin, or if a person is so preoccupied with them that he no longer assists at Mass or attends to his spiritual duties. In such circumstances, study also becomes sinful on Sunday.
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teeboy
Guest
I don’t do it, and try to avoid it. The only studying I typically do on a Sunday is that of scripture and the words to the hymns that we sing.
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smichhertz
Guest
^ This post says it all.There are two key things to remember here.
The first is that we are to avoid unnecessary work on a Sunday. Meaning that if you can comfortably do all your necessary study on the other six days of the week you should. Don’t know about you but I’ve met very few students who could manage that
The second is that the objection is mainly against what is termed servile work. That can mean physical labour (since an important objective of the Sabbath is of course to rest as God did). It can also mean paid work.
But again the stipulation is that both are to be avoided if unnecessary. So on the whole study on a Sunday doesn’t seem to be objectionable.
I’d say feel free to study on a Sunday but be sure to set aside time for God!
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TimothyH
Guest
If servile work and manual labor is forbidden, then shouldn’t we shut down the police departments, hospitals and fire departments?
Which one of you would not pull his ox out of a pit?
There are a lot of pharisees on this thread and not everything is as black and white as people seem to think. To me, nothing could be more “servile” than golf and God doesn’t reward piety.
-Tim-
Which one of you would not pull his ox out of a pit?
There are a lot of pharisees on this thread and not everything is as black and white as people seem to think. To me, nothing could be more “servile” than golf and God doesn’t reward piety.
-Tim-
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smichhertz
Guest
I believe the key phrase is “unnecessary work”. Hospitals, police, etc are necessary work and hence may work on Sundays.
Hope that helps!
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teeboy
Guest
I’d say plan your week around Sunday so that you don’t have necessary work or study to do on Sunday.
We are suppossed to rest mind and body on Sunday in order to obtain what is termed “proper rest”. This commandment is for our own good (as are all of them).
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smichhertz
Guest
I agree, but that’s not possible for a doctor or a policeman. It’s not like there aren’t emergencies on a Sunday. Hence the reason for the “necessary” condition. Not all necessary work can be avoided on a Sunday.
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teeboy
Guest
I know. However, retail work on Sunday isn’t quite as necessary as police work. So, there is degree of importance.
I work retail on some Sundays just to keep my job. However, some of my fellow employees are aware of my disliking for having to do so.
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