Keep Holy the Sabbath

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator

Today's first reading emphasizes the importance of the Sabbath, commonly known as "The Lord's Day" or "A Day of Rest." The third (or fourth, depending upon which version you follow in counting) commandment insists that we "keep holy the Lord's Day." The Church defines this commandment with one of its own: Catholics must attend Mass on the Lord's Day and refrain from servile work. Our current lifestyle makes it almost impossible for many people to follow those requirements. In fact, I daresay many have really forgotten or misunderstood the rationale behind this commandment.

One of the primary activities of most people's lives is that of making a living. The majority of families with children find it necessary for both parents to work in order to earn enough money to support their families with the necessaries of life. As we live through one of the most serious downturns in the economy, getting and keeping a well paying job is almost always one of the lead stories on the evening news. Now that most retail outlets are open on Sunday, people who work in these situations are required to work on Sunday simply to keep a job. The notion of "servile" work has almost completely disappeared from our radar screens.

The original intention of the injunction to "keep holy" the seventh day of the week was simply to change our focus for one day out of every seven. The Book of Exodus makes this very clear. The injunction against working on the seventh day is about remembering the One who created the universe and who maintains it now. Men and women are to focus on God, not on work. There is nothing wrong with work as long as it doesn't distract us from God and our relationship with the Most High.

Reclaiming the Sabbath in today's world is a difficult task. Unfortunately, some believe that as long as they give God the hour or so that it takes to go to Mass on Sunday they have maintained that relationship. Put it in this perspective. If you devoted only one hour a week to your relationship with your spouse, how long would it last? Somehow we must find a way to balance the requirements of our work life with the needs of our spiritual lives. While I realize that people cannot simply stop going to work on Sunday, it is important that we reflect on how to maintain a healthy and vibrant relationship with God.