Joshua Bennett
The Sabbath is considered a holy day by the Oriental Orthodox Church, which observes both Sunday (the Christian Sabbath) and Saturday (the Old Sabbath). While the Catholic Church does not worship on the Sabbath, it celebrates the Lord's Day, which falls on Sunday, the day of Jesus's resurrection. Catholics are encouraged to observe a day of rest from servile work on Sundays, which is also a day for assembly and the celebration of the Eucharist.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholics' Sabbath day | Sunday, also known as the "Lord's Day" |
| Reason for Sabbath on Sunday | The day of Christ's resurrection, the first day of creation, and the "eighth day" |
| Sabbath activities | Refrain from servile work, devote time to the Eucharist, prayer, and family gatherings |
| Catholic teaching | "Do what we can to observe the sabbatical rest on Sundays and Holy Days, hear Holy Mass, and take the time to rest your minds and bodies." |
| Catholic Church's stance on Sabbath | The Sabbath has been replaced by Sunday, which recalls the new creation inaugurated by the Resurrection of Christ |
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What You'll Learn
- Catholics worship on the Lord's Day, which is Sunday, the first day of the week
- The Sabbath is Saturday, the last day of the week, when God rested
- The Catholic Church teaches that the day of celebration is changeable
- Catholics observe a day of rest from servile work, which is a protest against the worship of money
- The Catholic Sabbath is a reinterpretation of the Sabbath in light of Christian law and values
Catholics worship on the Lord's Day, which is Sunday, the first day of the week
The Catholic Church does not worship on the Sabbath. According to Jewish law, the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, Saturday, when God rested from all his work. Instead, Catholics worship on the Lord's Day, which is Sunday, the first day of the week, or the "eighth day".
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The Church celebrates the day of Christ's Resurrection on the 'eighth day,' Sunday, which is rightly called the Lord's Day" (CCC 2191). This is further supported by the Acts of the Apostles: "On the first day of the week, when we gathered to break bread, Paul spoke to them" (20:7). Sunday is considered a holy day for Christians, a day to refrain from work and devote to the Eucharist, prayer, and family gatherings.
The Catholic Church teaches that the particular day of worship is ceremonial and changeable. Sunday worship fulfils the moral command of the Old Covenant, taking on its rhythm and spirit in the weekly celebration of the Creator and Redeemer. This interpretation of the Sabbath is reflected in the words of St. Justin the Martyr: "The new law requires you to keep perpetual Sabbath, and you, because you are idle for one day, suppose you are pious, not discerning why this has been commanded you".
The early Church did not move the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday but instead reinterpreted its meaning in light of Christian law and values. This is reflected in the words of Pope John Paul II, who encouraged Catholics to keep Sunday holy, distinguishing it from the secular concept of the "weekend".
In summary, Catholics worship on the Lord's Day, which is Sunday, the first day of the week, also known as the "eighth day". This day is significant as it commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the new creation inaugurated by Christ's Resurrection.
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The Sabbath is Saturday, the last day of the week, when God rested
Catholics, however, worship on the Lord's Day, which is Sunday, the first day of the week, or the eighth day when God said, "Let there be light." Sunday is the day when Christ rose from the dead and when the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles (Pentecost). The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "The Church celebrates the day of Christ's Resurrection on the 'eighth day,' Sunday, which is rightly called the Lord's Day." This is further supported by the First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, which says, "For the Lord himself...will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."
The early Church did not move the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. Instead, the Sabbath, which marked the completion of the first creation, was replaced by Sunday, which celebrates the new creation inaugurated by the Resurrection of Christ. This is in line with the teachings of Paul, who stated that Christians do not have to keep the Sabbath, as he was referring to the holy days specific to the Jews.
Catholics are encouraged to observe a day of rest from servile work on Sundays, which also becomes "a day of protest against the servitude of work and the worship of money." This is reflected in the 1917 Code of Canon Law ¶1248, which stipulates that "On feast days of precept, Mass is to be heard; there is an abstinence from servile work, legal acts, and likewise, unless there is a special indult or legitimate customs provide otherwise, from public trade, shopping, and other public buying and selling."
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The Catholic Church teaches that the day of celebration is changeable
The Catholic Church's position on the Sabbath is based on the teachings of Paul, who stated that Christians do not have to keep the Jewish Sabbath. Instead, Catholics observe "the Lord's Day" as a day of rest from servile work and a time for worship and devotion to the Eucharist, prayer, and family gatherings. This practice is rooted in the belief that Sunday, as the day of Christ's resurrection, holds spiritual significance for Christians, fulfilling the moral command of the Old Covenant.
The changeable nature of the day of celebration is further supported by the interpretation of Jesus' words in Matthew 5:17, where he states that he has come not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. This is understood as Jesus freeing Christians from the Law by fulfilling it, with his resurrection on the first day of the week establishing a new Sabbath rest. Additionally, early Church documents from the second century indicate that Christians met to break bread on Sundays, further solidifying the shift from the traditional Jewish Sabbath.
However, it is important to note that some Catholics and Christian groups argue for the observance of the Sabbath on Saturday, following the footsteps of Jesus and the traditions of the early Church. This diversity of practices within the Catholic Church highlights the flexibility and adaptability of its teachings, allowing for different interpretations and practices among its followers.
In summary, the Catholic Church's teaching on the changeable nature of the day of celebration reflects its interpretation of the Sabbath as fulfilled in Christ and commemorated through the celebration of "the Lord's Day" on Sunday. This changeable nature is supported by scriptural interpretations, early Church traditions, and the spiritual significance attached to the day of Christ's resurrection.
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Catholics observe a day of rest from servile work, which is a protest against the worship of money
The Sabbath is considered holy in the Oriental Orthodox churches, with both Sunday ("the Christian Sabbath") and Saturday ("the Old Sabbath") being celebrated. However, the Catholic Church does not worship on the Sabbath, which, according to Jewish law, is Saturday, the seventh day of the week when God rested from His work of creation. Instead, Catholics worship on the Lord's Day, which is Sunday, the first day of the week and the eighth day when Christ rose from the dead.
The Catholic Church teaches that the particular day of celebration is ceremonial and changeable. The Catechism states that Sunday is distinct from the Sabbath and that its observance replaces that of the Sabbath. Sunday worship fulfills the moral command of the Old Covenant, celebrating the Creator and Redeemer.
The early Church did not move the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. Instead, the Sabbath, which represented the completion of the first creation, was replaced by Sunday, which symbolizes the new creation inaugurated by Christ's Resurrection. This interpretation of the Sabbath in light of Christian law, emphases of practice, and values is reflected in the term "Christian Sabbath."
While first-day Sabbatarian practice has declined, its influence remains in the West, shaping the origin of the Christian Sabbath. The term "Christian Sabbath" refers to the general establishment of Sunday worship and rest observances within Christianity, rather than a specific set of practices.
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The Catholic Sabbath is a reinterpretation of the Sabbath in light of Christian law and values
The Catholic Church does not worship on the Sabbath, which, according to Jewish law, is Saturday, the last day of the week. Instead, Catholics worship on the Lord's Day, which is Sunday, the first day of the week. This is the day when Christ rose from the dead, and it is also known as the "eighth day", symbolising the first creation and the new creation.
The Catholic Church encourages its followers to observe a day of rest from servile work on Sundays, which also becomes "a day of protest against the servitude of work and the worship of money". This is in line with the biblical teaching to "remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy". Catholics are instructed to devote this day to the Eucharist, prayer, and family gatherings.
The Catholic understanding of the Sabbath is also influenced by the teachings of St. Paul, who spoke of the holy days that were specific to the Jews, and by the concept of Christ as the New and Greater Moses, who has come to free his followers from the Law by fulfilling it. This idea is supported by the passage in Matthew 5:17, where Jesus says, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfil".
In summary, the Catholic Sabbath is a reinterpretation of the Sabbath that reflects Christian law and values. It involves observing a day of rest on Sunday, the Lord's Day, and is based on biblical teachings, the fulfilment of the Law in Christ, and the early Christian practice of gathering on the first day of the week.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics worship on the Lord's Day, which is on Sunday, the first day of the week. The Sabbath is considered holy in the Oriental Orthodox churches, with Saturday being the "Old Sabbath" and Sunday being the "Christian Sabbath".
The Sabbath, which represented the completion of the first creation, has been replaced by Sunday, which recalls the new creation inaugurated by the Resurrection of Christ. Sunday is also the day when Christ rose from the dead, and when the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles.
Catholics are encouraged to observe a day of rest from servile work, which also becomes "a day of protest against the servitude of work and the worship of money". Catholics devote themselves to the Eucharist, prayer, and family gatherings.
