Resting On Sundays

[Paladin D]

I talked to my pastor, Fr. Dennis on the issue of resting on Sunday. He told me since I go to Mass on Saturday night, thats my day of rest. Is he totally wrong, or only half wrong? Maybe I didn't understand him correctly, or he phrased it wrongly.

Also another question: Is it wrong to let's say... mow the lawn for about an hour and a half on Sundays, and thats it? No other chores?

[toledo_jesus]

as i understand it, we are supposed to refrain from unnecessary servile work. mowing the lawn would be unnecessary because you could have perhaps done it another day.
As to whether Saturday counts as your day of rest, I'm not going to argue with a priest...but it was my understanding that Saturday evening fulfilled your Sunday obligation for Mass. I don't know if that makes Saturday your day of rest.

[cappie]

From the Code of Canon Law:

Can. 1247 On Sundays and other holydays of obligation, the faithful are obliged to assist at Mass. They are also to abstain from such work or business that would inhibit the worship to be given to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, or the due relaxation of mind and body.

From the Catechism:

A day of grace and rest from work

2184 Just as God "rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done," human life has a rhythm of work and rest. The institution of the Lord's Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives.

2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body. Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health.The charity of truth seeks holy leisure- the necessity of charity accepts just work.

2186 Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life.

2187 Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord's Day. Traditional activities (sport, restaurants, etc.), and social necessities (public services, etc.), require some people to work on Sundays, but everyone should still take care to set aside sufficient time for leisure. With temperance and charity the faithful will see to it that they avoid the excesses and violence sometimes associated with popular leisure activities. In spite of economic constraints, public authorities should ensure citizens a time intended for rest and divine worship. Employers have a similar obligation toward their employees.

2188 In respecting religious liberty and the common good of all, Christians should seek recognition of Sundays and the Church's holy days as legal holidays. They have to give everyone a public example of prayer, respect, and joy and defend their traditions as a precious contribution to the spiritual life of society. If a country's legislation or other reasons require work on Sunday, the day should nevertheless be lived as the day of our deliverance which lets us share in this "festal gathering," this "assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven."

[qfnol31]

Saturday evening is technically not Saturday, for that's when Sunday begins. That's why we can go to Mass that evening and it count for Sunday.

[Paladin D]

Oh well, I guess I'm stuck with a priest who is a little heterdox.

Yet again I think he may have thought I met "Sunday Obligation" such as going to Mass. Who knows, I'll have to talk to him in further detail.

[HartfordWhalers]

But Saturday night is NOT Sunday because it's not treated as Sunday. You don't rest then, so how is it that it is Sunday? Yes, liturgically after Vespers (which are said at FIVE PM, not 4 as Canon Law allows for), the day is Sunday LITURGICALLY. But that does not mean it is "actually" Sunday meaning we need to rest and such. You are supposed to rest on Sunday. You're supposed to go to Mass on Sunday, too, it's the Sabbath Day, not Saturday. We aren't Jews. I don't know when this strange practice started... Vigils have always been kept by the Church but never like this. The Easter Vigil is not the Mass of Easter, it is a separate Liturgy. The same is true for the Vigils of the Apostles, of any feast, such as is notable for Christmas. The only time a Mass is said of a different day is when a feast is moved out of necessity. For example, this year the Annunciation will fall during Holy Week (Good Friday, I think), so it will be moved to the Monday after Easter Week.

[White Knight]

Well if I'm correct I remember, something about the Commandment of keeping the Sabbth Day Holy, work six days a week, rest on the seventh. or something like that.