453. How does one keep Sunday holy? (part 3 continuation)
(Comp 453 repetition) Christians keep Sunday and other days of obligation holy by
participating in the Eucharist of the Lord and by refraining from those
activities which impede the worship of God and disturb the joy proper to the
day of the Lord or the necessary relaxation of mind and body. Activities are
allowed on the Sabbath which are bound up with family needs or with important
social service, provided that they do not lead to habits prejudicial to the
holiness of Sunday, to family life and to health.
“In brief”
(CCC 2193) "On Sundays and
other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound… to abstain from those labors
and business concerns which impede the worship to be rendered to God, the joy
which is proper to the Lord's Day, or the proper relaxation of mind and
body" (CIC, can. 1247).
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 2183) "If because of lack of a sacred minister or
for other grave cause participation in the celebration of the Eucharist is
impossible, it is specially recommended that the faithful take part in the
Liturgy of the Word if it is celebrated in the parish church or in another
sacred place according to the prescriptions of the diocesan bishop, or engage
in prayer for an appropriate amount of time personally or in a family or, as
occasion offers, in groups of families" (CIC, can. 1248 § 2). (CCC 2184)
Just as God "rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had
done" (Gen 2:2), 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 (Cf. GS 67 § 3).
Reflection
(CCC 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 (Cf. CIC, can.
120). 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 (St. Augustine, De civ. Dei 19,
19: PL 41, 647). [END]
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