The Sabbath

bethanysamuel · #1 Jun 30, '12, 8:26 pm

Hello,
I used to make sure I had done all my housework before Sunday and do none on Sundays, quite strictly. However, in the last 6 months, due to severe back pain, I haven't been able to do much at all, often leaving things undone by Sunday. I have found this the most upsetting part of my disability because it feels like my spiritual routine has been wrecked.
I used to love having a beautifully clean house on Sundays so that I could relax and focus on God, but more importantly, because I knew that it would be a violation of the 3rd Commandment to do unnecessary work. There have been a few Sundays in the last month or so, when I have done a small amount of housework, as I can only do little bits at a time. I have said "Sorry God, but I hope you can understand that because of my pain, I can't get everything done by today", and just done a little bit.
Now it's Sunday and I haven't cleaned any part of the house. If I clean up, I'll feel guilty. If I don't, the house won't feel as holy, as I like a clean beautiful place for prayer, playing hymns, cooking a roast dinner and relaxing.
My question is: what is the right thing to do? I have even considered writing to my Bishop and asking for an exemption from the Commandment until I recover. What do you think? I'm really upset and I'm in pain now as I write.
Thank you

Spirithound · #2 Jun 30, '12, 8:33 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by bethanysamuel

My question is: what is the right thing to do? I have even considered writing to my Bishop and asking for an exemption from the Commandment until I recover. What do you think? I'm really upset and I'm in pain now as I write.
Thank you

Dear Sister,
You do what you have to do. If you can only do small bits of housework at a time, then that's your new routine. Illness and disabilities make us adapt to whatever circumstances are ours.
God bless you

bethanysamuel · #3 Jun 30, '12, 8:40 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spirithound

Dear Sister,
You do what you have to do. If you can only do small bits of housework at a time, then that's your new routine. Illness and disabilities make us adapt to whatever circumstances are ours.
God bless you

Thank you

Spirithound · #4 Jun 30, '12, 8:48 pm

A point I forgot to address earlier, is that the Church drops just about any kind of obligation when there is a physical impossibility to carry it out. This certainly applies to your case, where housework needs to be done sometime, and some of it just has to be on Sunday.

bethanysamuel · #5 Jun 30, '12, 8:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spirithound

A point I forgot to address earlier, is that the Church drops just about any kind of obligation when there is a physical impossibility to carry it out. This certainly applies to your case, where housework needs to be done sometime, and some of it just has to be on Sunday.

Thank you, this helps

vsedriver · #6 Jun 30, '12, 9:11 pm

any chance you could get some help on Saturday? Maybe see if there are some Catholic teenagers who could use a few bucks. I'm sure your parish priest could recommend some kids. My sons got together with a few other boys in the parish and did yard work all summer for the elderly. Kept them busy and they had a little money to spend. Now they still keep an eye out for the old folks.

a couple of kids should be able to vacuum, sweep, dust etc...

bethanysamuel · #7 Jun 30, '12, 9:19 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsedriver

any chance you could get some help on Saturday? Maybe see if there are some Catholic teenagers who could use a few bucks. I'm sure your parish priest could recommend some kids. My sons got together with a few other boys in the parish and did yard work all summer for the elderly. Kept them busy and they had a little money to spend. Now they still keep an eye out for the old folks.

a couple of kids should be able to vacuum, sweep, dust etc...

Yeah that's a good idea, I could certainly ask a friend to change my bed and do a vacuum on a Saturday, that would make a huge difference,
Thank you aswell

**po18guy** · #8 Jun 30, '12, 11:37 pm

We are supposed to avoid "servile" work on the Lord's day. From the catechism:

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.

bethanysamuel · #9 Jul 2, '12, 5:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by po18guy

We are supposed to avoid "servile" work on the Lord's day. From the catechism:

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.

Thank you. I knew already the Church's rules on this and I'm not trying to bend the rules, I just wondered, given the circumstances, I personally would be allowed to do light housework on a Sunday. There have been some Sundays when I have left the house in a bit of a mess due to not wanting to break the 3rd Commandment. And on the Sundays when I have done a bit of laundry and vacuumed up, I've felt guilty and uncertain. It's quite a big deal to me because I try very hard to keep the Commandments.
Thank you.

**po18guy** · #10 Jul 2, '12, 5:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by bethanysamuel

Thank you. I knew already the Church's rules on this and I'm not trying to bend the rules, I just wondered, given the circumstances, I personally would be allowed to do light housework on a Sunday. There have been some Sundays when I have left the house in a bit of a mess due to not wanting to break the 3rd Commandment. And on the Sundays when I have done a bit of laundry and vacuumed up, I've felt guilty and uncertain. It's quite a big deal to me because I try very hard to keep the Commandments.
Thank you.

If you pray a Rosary or a Chaplet of Divine Mercy as you accomplish your work, it will seem like work neither to you, nor to the Lord. We are not slaves to the law, but rather, are called to give the Lord His due.

bethanysamuel · #11 Jul 2, '12, 7:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by po18guy

If you pray a Rosary or a Chaplet of Divine Mercy as you accomplish your work, it will seem like work neither to you, nor to the Lord. We are not slaves to the law, but rather, are called to give the Lord His due.

Thank you, I will do that until I get better(might need surgery). Thank you.

bethanysamuel · #12 Jul 19, '12, 10:41 pm

Well I found out that there is nothing they can do for my condition and I will probably end up in a wheelchair for life. In some ways I don't mind; I offer up my pain, but other times I just feel completely hopeless and depressed.
I have had an unbelievably difficult life, and I sometimes whether God has chosen me amongst all the other Super-Sufferes to prove that faith in him can endure any trial. I'm really very down. It looks like every day is going to be a Sabbath now for me as I can't even do the laundry change a bed

Spirithound · #13 Jul 20, '12, 4:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by bethanysamuel

Well I found out that there is nothing they can do for my condition and I will probably end up in a wheelchair for life. In some ways I don't mind; I offer up my pain, but other times I just feel completely hopeless and depressed.
I have had an unbelievably difficult life, and I sometimes whether God has chosen me amongst all the other Super-Sufferes to prove that faith in him can endure any trial. I'm really very down. It looks like every day is going to be a Sabbath now for me as I can't even do the laundry change a bed

Dear Sister Beth,
I'm sorry to hear about your prognosis. I also am in a wheelchair for life. I would like to encourage you to talk to your pastor for spiritual counselling. Those who suffer in this life truly have the best possible opportunity to unite themselves with Christ's saving work. The road will be hard, and I will pray for you. God bless you.

Zenkai · #14 Jul 20, '12, 5:48 pm

I think the Sabbath is Saturday.

**po18guy** · #15 Jul 20, '12, 6:18 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zenkai

I think the Sabbath is Saturday.

It is. However, we are not under the Mosaic law. Genesis does not say which day of the week the sabbath is, or was, as the days were not named. Jesus, by defeating death and rising from the dead on Sunday, and by sending His Holy Spirit on Sunday, introduced the "Lord's day" as the new day of Christian worship. The Apostles established this as a practice. John received his Revelation (the Apocalypse) on the "Lord's day"

Do you have a copy of Catholicism for Dummies? Great and easily read book that will answer many, if not all of your questions.

See sections 2175 and 2190 of the catechsim, available here: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm