Working on Sunday

[Nuruns]

I would like to know if it is a sin to work on Sunday when you have the option not to.
We are currently in the process of organizing a new schedule at my work and I will be able to request which day of the week I would like off. Personally I prefer Tuesday, but since I have the opportunity of requesting not to work on Sunday am I expected to take it?

Thanks!

 

[wjp984]

If you can still meet the Sunday obligation to go to mass I don’t think there is anything wrong with working on it. People have different interpretations of this. I have a liberal one but I respect others for their strict observances of this day. I just don’t see anything wrong for those that choose to not be so strict about it as long as they attend mass.

 

[johnnyjoe]

The Church teaches that you shouldn’t do any “unnessessary” work on Sundays. Since you can request the day off, I would do so, for you have the opportunity to not work on the Lord’s Day, and should take it.

CCC1193
Sunday, the “Lord’s Day,” is the principal day for the celebration of the Eucharist because it is the day of the Resurrection. It is the pre-eminent day of the liturgical assembly, the day of the Christian family, and the day of joy and rest from work. Sunday is “the foundation and kernel of the whole liturgical year” (SC 106).

Catechism of the Catholic Church
PART 3, SECTION 2 2, CHAPTER 1 1, ARTICLE 3, SUBSECTION 1

I. THE SABBATH DAY
2168 The third commandment of the Decalogue recalls the holiness of the sabbath: “The seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD.” 92

2169 In speaking of the sabbath Scripture recalls creation: “For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it.” 93

2170 Scripture also reveals in the Lord’s day a memorial of Israel’s liberation from bondage in Egypt: “You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out thence with mighty hand and outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the sabbath day.” 94

2171 God entrusted the sabbath to Israel to keep as a sign of the irrevocable covenant. 95 The sabbath is for the Lord, holy and set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on behalf of Israel.

2172 God’s action is the model for human action. If God “rested and was refreshed” on the seventh day, man too ought to “rest” and should let others, especially the poor, “be refreshed.” 96 The sabbath brings everyday work to a halt and provides a respite. It is a day of protest against the servitude of work and the worship of money. 97

2173 The Gospel reports many incidents when Jesus was accused of violating the sabbath law. But Jesus never fails to respect the holiness of this day. 98 He gives this law its authentic and authoritative interpretation: “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.” 99 With compassion, Christ declares the sabbath for doing good rather than harm, for saving life rather than killing. 100 The sabbath is the day of the Lord of mercies and a day to honor God. 101 “The Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” 102

I think these are pretty good reasons to take the day off… what do you think?

 

[Carrie_Andrews]

I was always told if you needed to work Sundays to keep your job or keep you solvent, it’s okay, because it’s nessessary. I work only past 4pm, on the grounds that by the Mosaic laws, sundown is the next day .