Jump to content
An Old School Catholic Message Board

Why Sunday "obligation"?


Anastasia13

Recommended Posts

truthfinder

Why do Romans call attending on the Christian Sabbath an "obligation"?

​I guess because on the very basic level, it is an obligation.  Not attending to the obligation cuts our relationship with God.  I'm not sure that's the answer you're wanting though.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Credo in Deum

I'll just rewrite what I wrote earlier.  The Church calls it an obligation for the exact reason truthfinder mentioned.  We have been created to love, honor, and serve God.  Our obligation is to worship Him in a manner fitting His Majesty.  The Mass is the only perfect form of worship, therefore we are obligated to attend it on the Lord's Day. The Old Covenant with the New Covenant.  Old Testament and New Testament.  

The other thing that needs to be mentioned is that the word obligation does not mean joyless of lacking of love. IMO, it is our culture that makes us look at words like 'obligation' and 'duty' in a negative light.  This is becuse nowadays people are only concerned with doing what they want, when they want, and where they want. During these times it is even more fitting that the Church stress Mass as being an obligation since the world needs to be reminded that we have been made for God and not ourselves.

 

 

Edited by Credo in Deum
Link to comment
Share on other sites

AccountDeleted

Yeah, I feel I have to repost what I wrote too because it really speaks to me about the word obligation. I choose the meaning of a debt of gratitude for a service or favor. To me that means gratitude to God for His love and care and all He has done for me.

For the church, it is a condition of being morally bound to do something. Either way, it is pretty straightforward to me.

 

obligation
ɒblɪˈɡeɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
 
  1. an act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment.
    "I have an obligation to look after her"
    synonyms: dutycommitmentresponsibility, moral imperative; More
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
Link to comment
Share on other sites

truthfinder

Continuing from nunsense's etymology, obligation also has a Latin sense (particularly found in the 5th century Vulgate) of "a binding agreement" according the Oxford English Dictionary.  This thus firmly enters into the realm of covenant, which itself is a two-way agreement. If we do what God wants us to do (including worshiping Him in a particular manner on a particular day), He will grant us salvation.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anastasia13

If you are reposting from an earlier thread I started a couple days ago, thank you. I didn't get to read it before the phorum was down (at least for me) and didn't find it now that we are all back online.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...