Working in the garden on Sunday

  • Thread starter Thread starter endaman
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
E

endaman

Guest
Another working on Sunday question here:

Today, Sunday I spent about 4 hours digging a garden I hope to plant vegetables in it next year. It is not my normal job that is usually in an office. I would consider the garden as a hobby for me, with the goal of producing my own food. I don’t usually have time during the week for this and I have to drive 30 miles at the weekend to get to my garden.

Did I sin by working in my garden today. I prayed a lot while working in my Garden, prayer is also one of my reasons for gardening.

-EM
 
If you are truly unsure of this, I suggest you make an appointment with your priest so that he can help guide you.
 
im 27, a guy and garden also, i wont be a a farmer but I do find it takes my mind off life, and to me it’s a hobby. if your making money as in work, then take a break, if its a hobby then i don’t see anything wrong with it.
 
I think that only work that results in a profit is prohibited. On the other hand, fresh vegetables could be considered a profit. On the other hand, cows and chickens don’t know it’s sunday when they’re hungry or need milking. I expect plants don’t know it’s Sunday when they need to be watered. I don’t think this is a problem, personally, but you might want to ask a priest. You could also donate your vegetables to the food pantry. They never get anything fresh and then you would be doing service and not profiting.
 
Absolutely nothing wrong with it! I also use gardening as a time of prayer. It does not necessarily need to be defined as work especially if it contributes to the joy and peace of you and your family. Maybe also consider researching Mary gardens (plants and garden plans associated with our Blessed Mother), these can be one small corner or a larger area. There are unlimited possibilities! 🙂
 
endaman said:
Another working on Sunday question here:

Today, Sunday I spent about 4 hours digging a garden I hope to plant vegetables in it next year. It is not my normal job that is usually in an office. I would consider the garden as a hobby for me, with the goal of producing my own food. I don’t usually have time during the week for this and I have to drive 30 miles at the weekend to get to my garden.

Did I sin by working in my garden today. I prayed a lot while working in my Garden, prayer is also one of my reasons for gardening.

-EM
Click to expand...
The only work that is prohibited is that which you are paid for. So digging your own garden is ok, as long as you’re not selling the vegetables.
Now if someone else paid you to dig their garden then you’d have cause for concern, though if you dug someone else’s garden as a charitable act then you’d be okay.
Again, digging your own garden is fine, as long as it’s not a venture for profit.

That is how I understand it.
 
Hmm, thanks for the replies, its not for profit but I guess I will save money, hard to know. I think I will mention it at my next confession just to be on the safe side.

-EM
 
Nigel7 said:
The only work that is prohibited is that which you are paid for. So digging your own garden is ok, as long as you’re not selling the vegetables.
Now if someone else paid you to dig their garden then you’d have cause for concern, though if you dug someone else’s garden as a charitable act then you’d be okay.
Again, digging your own garden is fine, as long as it’s not a venture for profit.

That is how I understand it.
Click to expand...
Please keep in mind that not all work that one receives financial compensation for is prohibited on Sunday- otherwise all the fire, police, rescue, medical, nursing, utility, and transportation would be at a standstill. I don’t think you want your local cop, fireman, nurse, doctor, or electrical power plant working not coming in on Sunday.
 
Thank you ! I NEEDED this post !
First, I think Nigel7 answered your question, pretty much as I would understand what our Faith teaches. Gardening, as a hobby, I believe is not a sin unless you’re selling the vegetables you grow. But I was taught that “servile” (physical?) work is work. If we indulge in a ‘day of rest’ - i.e. go to a theme park, museum, etc. - we have to pay, thereby encouraging OTHERS to work. :confused:

I’m in the same situation. I work a job six days a week, wth little time for housework, etc., except on Sundays. In good conscience, I don’t do housework, even though I’m not paid to do it. Further, going to laundromat means paying for machines – buying on Sunday - another issue. In trying to keep within limits, my life is tied in knots getting little done !

Not related to your gardening - it’s just me…I just can’t allow myself to do what was once called “servile” work. I’m sharing this, in hopes someone can share advice. I was taught this example: Driving on Sunday, while physical labor, is not considered a sin unless you’re a truck driver and working your job for pay.
 
ConservativeOne said:
Thank you ! I NEEDED this post !
First, I think Nigel7 answered your question, pretty much as I would understand what our Faith teaches. Gardening, as a hobby, I believe is not a sin unless you’re selling the vegetables you grow. But I was taught that “servile” (physical?) work is work. If we indulge in a ‘day of rest’ - i.e. go to a theme park, museum, etc. - we have to pay, thereby encouraging OTHERS to work. :confused:

I’m in the same situation. I work a job six days a week, wth little time for housework, etc., except on Sundays. In good conscience, I don’t do housework, even though I’m not paid to do it. Further, going to laundromat means paying for machines – buying on Sunday - another issue. In trying to keep within limits, my life is tied in knots getting little done !

Not related to your gardening - it’s just me…I just can’t allow myself to do what was once called “servile” work. I’m sharing this, in hopes someone can share advice. I was taught this example: Driving on Sunday, while physical labor, is not considered a sin unless you’re a truck driver and working your job for pay.
Click to expand...
Driving a truck or doing any other job needed to put food on the table and keep a roof over your head on Sunday is not sinful. If you have fulfilled your obligation by attending Mass either Sunday or Saturday evening- it’s fine.

The Apologists here on CAF had a similar question asked of them a couple of weeks ago:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=9984362&highlight=servile+work#post9984362

and back in June: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=9448872&highlight=servile+work#post9448872
 
It might be better if you and your family or friends were working in the garden together (if that is an enjoyable activity for all of you,) because in addition to Mass attendance, Sunday is supposed to be a day of wholesome recreation, socializing with family and friends, or attending cultural activities. It’s supposed to be a day not of total inactivity, but one that refreshes us, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. Hobbies are supposed to be recreational. Turning them into obsessive work kind of misses the point of having them.
 
To the original poster:

No, you did not sin. Not even remotely.

In fact what you did was virtuous: you used time to honour God’s creation and the life giving nature of it by doing something that would set in store something that will sustain you in the future. And you did all that while praying and giving thanks to God!

I can’t think of anything much further AWAY from sinning!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top