Rachel Evans
Keeping Sunday holy is a challenge in the modern world, where shops are open and work is constant. However, for Catholics, Sunday is the Lord's Day, a day of rest and worship, and an opportunity to cultivate familial, cultural, social, and religious lives. The Catechism of the Catholic Church specifies that the faithful are bound to participate in Mass on Sundays and other holy days of obligation. Beyond Mass, Catholics can keep Sunday holy by spending time with family, reading, hobbies, games, bike rides, or picnics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Day of the week | Sunday |
| Day of worship | Worship God publicly |
| Day of rest | No work |
| Day of leisure | Spend time with family |
| Day of reflection | Wait, pray, hope, trust |
| Day of celebration | Celebrate the Lord's Day |
| Day of liberation | Liberation from slavery in Egypt |
| Day of creation | Creation of the world |
| Day of resurrection | Resurrection of Jesus Christ |
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What You'll Learn
Honouring the Sabbath
To honour the Sabbath, one must keep the whole day holy and not just attend Mass. This means setting aside time for leisure and avoiding unnecessary work. It is a day to rest and relax, to enjoy meaningful activities such as reading, hobbies, games, bike rides, or picnics, and to spend time in nature. It is also a day to worship God, pray, and share love with others.
Planning is essential to keeping the Sabbath holy. This includes setting aside projects and saying no to distractions. Creating a ritual, such as setting a simple display on a table or home altar, can help indicate that the day is special. Simplifying meals or spending more time cooking, depending on one's preference, can also make the day feel more relaxed and enjoyable.
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![The Mass : the Holy Sacrifice with the Priest at the Altar on Sundays, Holy Days and Days of Special Observance, from the Roman Missal / by the Rev. John J. Wynne 1915 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Attending Mass
The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides clear guidance on this matter: "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass." (CCC 2180) This means attending Mass at a local parish or a different Catholic church when travelling. The obligation to physically attend Mass is waived for those who are unwell, homebound, or in areas affected by COVID-19.
By participating in Mass, Catholics fulfil their duty to worship God publicly and unite with the Church community. This practice has been a tradition since the time of the Apostles, as St. Justin Martyr noted: "Sunday, indeed, is the day on which we hold our common assembly because it is the first day on which God, transforming the darkness and matter, created the world; and our Savior, Jesus Christ, arose from the dead on the same day."
To prepare for Mass and make the most of the experience, it is beneficial to plan ahead. This may include setting aside projects and commitments that could interfere with attending Mass and setting a special atmosphere at home, such as a simple display on an altar or kitchen table to signify the holiness of the day.
Additionally, Catholics can engage in other meaningful activities on Sundays, such as reading, hobbies, games, bike rides, or picnics. These activities should be enjoyed with the intention of honouring the Lord's Day and creating a rhythm of work and rest in one's life.
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Worship and leisure
For Catholics, Sunday is the Lord's Day, a day to worship God and share love with family. It is a day of rest, worship, and leisure, and Catholics are encouraged to abstain from unnecessary work.
Worship
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that the primary way to keep Sunday holy is to participate in Mass. The Church specifies that "on Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass". This can be fulfilled by attending Mass at a local parish or a different Catholic church when travelling. Mass is a time to sit together as a family and worship God.
Leisure
Leisure activities on Sundays can include reading, hobbies, games, bike rides, or picnics. It is important to be intentional about how to spend the day, recognising one's duty to God while also considering other responsibilities. It can be helpful to plan ahead and set aside projects for another day, as well as simplifying meals or spending more time cooking if that is enjoyable.
In today's society, it can be challenging to keep Sunday holy due to the constant busyness and emphasis on work and production. However, it is important to prioritise rest and leisure, just as God rested on the seventh day after creating the world. This rhythm of work and rest is essential for human life and well-being.
While some people may need to work on Sundays due to traditional activities or social necessities, everyone should still ensure they set aside time for leisure and worship. With temperance and charity, Catholics can avoid the excesses and violence sometimes associated with popular leisure activities.
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The Resurrection
Sunday is a holy day for Catholics as it marks the day of the new creation, when Christ conquered sin, darkness and death. It is the day when Christ, the High Priest, offered Himself as the unblemished Passover lamb of sacrifice on the altar of the cross, giving the promise of everlasting life. This is why Sunday is the fulfillment of the Sabbath of the Old Testament.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that the primary way to keep Sunday holy is to participate in Mass: "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass". This can be fulfilled by attending and actively participating in Mass at your local parish, or at a different Catholic church when travelling. The obligation to physically attend Mass is lifted for those who are homebound, sick, or in areas affected by COVID-19.
However, keeping Sunday holy involves more than just attending Mass. It is a day for worshipping God, praying to Him, and sharing love with family. It is a day of rest and relaxation for both body and soul, a day to cultivate familial, cultural, social, and religious lives. This is in line with the Third Commandment, which states: "Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days you may labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, your God. No work may be done then".
To keep Sunday holy, it is important to plan ahead and set aside projects for another day. Simplify meals unless you enjoy cooking, in which case, spend a bit more leisurely time in the kitchen. Be sure to shop for groceries before Sunday. Aside from Mass, meaningful activities can include reading, hobbies, games, bike rides, or picnics. It is also important to create a quiet atmosphere, away from the noise of the world.
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The Eucharist
The centrality of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist is essential to the Catholic faith. The Constitution on Sacred Liturgy defines the Eucharistic Liturgy as an action of Jesus Christ and his church praising and giving thanks to God. The Liturgy is considered an exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ, where members of the Body of Christ, through baptism, come together to pray and encounter God through Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
By participating in the Eucharist on Sundays, Catholics fulfill the commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy. This tradition has been observed since the days of the Apostles, and it remains a fundamental aspect of Catholic worship and identity.
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Frequently asked questions
Keeping Sunday holy means observing it as the Lord's Day, a day of rest and worship.
Keeping Sunday holy is important because it is a day to celebrate the Lord's resurrection and to rest, just as God rested on the seventh day of creation. It is also a day to remember the covenant He made with His people through the Passover sacrifice and the liberation of His people from slavery in Egypt.
Some ways to keep Sunday holy include attending Mass, spending time with family, praying, reading, hobbies, games, bike rides, and picnics. It is also important to set aside projects and say "no" to things that will distract from honouring the Sabbath.
The Church does not condemn those who work on Sundays due to social necessities or economic constraints. However, civil leaders and employers are encouraged to ensure that citizens and employees have sufficient time for rest and worship. Individuals should also avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord's Day.
Preparing for Mass and setting aside time for worship and rest are important ways to keep Sunday holy. This may involve simplifying meals or grocery shopping in advance to free up time on Sunday.
