Weather and mowing lawns on Sunday

Alex246 · #1 Jun 11, '11, 9:56 pm

I'm 16. I have a small business mowing lawns for neighbors. Usually, I try to schedule on Saturdays or Mondays, but due to the weather I couldn't mow today (Saturday). This leaves me in a sticky situation. I don't want to do the work on Sunday, but my mom is putting pressure on me to do so, and I want to keep my customers happy. I've been making every attempt not to have to mow on Sunday, and the weather was out of my control. Is doing just one lawn (for a particular customer that I want to keep happy) a sin?

converting2024 · #2 Jun 12, '11, 1:27 am

I commend you for wanting to rest on Sunday and keep His day holy! It seems that these days Sunday has merely become another day of the "weekend" instead of the holy day it is. Some may disagree with this statement but the only way you could put your soul in danger would be by missing Mass to mow lawns. As long as you go to church you are fine.

lauraabarlow · #3 Jun 12, '11, 3:47 am

Due to my work schedule, I try to do house work and such on the weekends-do always go to mass on Sundays but sometimes in the afternoon, mow lawns especially when it rained the day before. I have just so much time which there isn't enough hours in the day to accomplish much. I hope I am not in the wrong-just trying to get caught up with work, never allowing it to get in the way of attending mass, and praying that God understands my situation-may mow tomorrow, though-after mass, me and my youngest is going to her school friend's birthday party which is being held at a park in the afternoon-taking things a step at a time, I guess

**pnewton** · #4 Jun 12, '11, 3:58 am

We do not adhere to Sabbatical laws. While Sunday always needs to be reserved as a day of rest, there are numerous exceptions, among which job is chief. In your case, one can also add dedication to a promise made. I would recommend you simply ask your priest. That way, he can know the details and hear what is in you beyond the facts.

gus53 · #5 Jun 12, '11, 2:44 pm

I am 58 and and a cradle Catholic and have thought about this all my life. Probably because I may at times have worked too much, and worked too much on Sundays. I believe we should keep Sundays holy, go to Mass, rest and recreate when possible. BUT, sometimes you Sundays are the only time you can do certain tasks. In my case it is often yard work, similar to what you are doing. Especially in these economic times, you may have to work when you can get the work. If you make your effort to keep Sunday holy, and work other times when possible, I think you are on the right track. I would not worry about having to work some Sundays. Just minimize it when you can.

I also work in Information Systems. Many of us in this field realize you have to work on Sundays to do system upgrades, etc. when it does not impact other people. So you work on Sunday to enable other people to rest on Sunday. Same with those in the hospitality and entertainment fields. You work so others can rest. This is commendable. Just be sure to go to Mass either Saturday evening or Sunday. That is not too much for the Church to ask. God deserves formal worship.

One more thing. Since I have an office job, I crave a certain amount of physical work on the week ends. Doing yard work is therapeutic for me (up to a point). I also have a bad back, so it's better for me to do some yard work Saturday, and the rest on Sunday, rather that all of it on Saturday. This is another reason hard and fast rules don't always work.