Keeping Sunday...Part One

This is my seventh weekend at my new job, and my fifth Sunday out of that seven working.  Argh.  I knew, of course, when I got the job that I would have to work some Sundays -- every other, to be exact.  However, with training and schedule juggling and what have you, I’m working AGAIN on Sunday, and tipping over that 50/50 mark.  

I’m lucky, though.  I know that my job is necessary - I work at an assisted living facility in the dining room.  People are depending on us for their meals.  Really, it is a corporal work of mercy (even if I am getting paid.  Service with a smile and all that.  I hope.)  Anyhow.  Not everyone who has to work on Sunday has that benefit of knowing that their work is, however humble, necessary.  There are many jobs in this world where it is very necessary people work on Sundays.  I’m guessing that those who are nurses, or police officers, or firefighters, or dairy farmers are aware when they choose those careers that they will have to do some of their ordinary, everyday work on Sundays.  Keeping the Sabbath holy, for them, doesn’t always involve a day off, as much as they would maybe like it to.  I’m thinking mothers and priests fall into that category, too.  But there are other jobs that aren’t necessary.  I’m thinking specifically of those who have to work at stores.  It must be difficult knowing that the only reason you have to work on Sunday is because either someone didn’t plan ahead or couldn’t wait for something.  

Ours is a world of instant gratification.  When was the last time you stopped and thought about that?  With the internet and cell phones, instant is really really really fast.  Want that new song?  No need to wait until you can take the car or catch a bus - just download it.  Have a movie you want to see?  Just download it.  A book to read?  Download it.  New computer game? You get the idea.  The funny thing is, the more we have, the more we want.  When you don’t have to wait for one thing, it gets harder and harder to wait for other things.  What was I talking about?  Oh yes.  Sundays.  

How often do you find yourself shopping on a Sunday?  Now before you say “hardly ever,” don’t forget about that cup of coffee and doughnut from the gas station.  And that quick stop to grab buns at the grocery store on the way home from Mass.  We all do it.  Sometimes more, sometimes less.  Did you know there was a time (before the internet, I think) when gas stations weren’t open on Sundays?  Or stores?  If you ran out of gas, you had to hope a neighbor had some to spare (or you had to bang on the station owner’s door and interrupt his Sunday dinner.)  Now, gas stations are open all the time.  Which is kind of sad, because now, they don’t need to be open, and no one has to run out of gas, thanks to the whole pay-at-the-pump thing.  Which doesn’t apply in NJ because people aren’t allowed to pump their own gas, which is another sad tale.  Stores are open all the time, too, in case anyone completely emptied their cupboards on Saturday night, who hasn’t got a neighbor to borrow a cup of sugar from (yet another sad tale!) Departments stores don’t even have that excuse.  Instant gratification.  

“But,” you ask, “what does it matter?  After all, I don’t really even consider shopping work.  I actually consider it recreation.  Aren’t we supposed to relax on Sunday, after Mass, of course? The stores are all open anyhow.” 

Yup.  The stores are open.  They are open because they are making money.  And, because they are open, someone has to work.  I have never done retail work, but I hear it isn’t really recreation. Although it may fall under the category “purgatory on earth.” Which means, because of our impatience, we are ruining someone else’s Sunday.  Now don’t you feel ashamed?  I hope so.  

Actually, I hope not.  I mean, yes, we need to realize the price what we are doing, but I really don’t like making people feel bad.  It’s kinda one of my weak points.  I do, however, like making people think.  THINK!  Think outside the box!  Did you run out of flour for your fried chicken?  Call your neighbor - they might be glad to help (work of mercy points for them!.)  Or use leftover sour-cream-and-onion cracker crumbs, and invent a new family favorite.  Oooh! Better idea! Make Beer Can Chicken!  Or give everyone a break and throw in a frozen pizza (that you picked up on Saturday.) Next time you think you have to buy something on a Sunday, see if you can put it off until Monday.  Or improvise.  Or do without.  Offer it up :) God gave us six days to work and to shop.  All He asks is for one day in return, where we gather together to adore, praise, ask pardon, and thank Him in the Mass.  Then He asks us to rest, as He rested, and to allow others to do the same.  No, we don’t all get to rest on Sundays, but our work should be the sort of work that we can make holy, if we must do it.  Nurses have to nurse, doctors have to doctor, cooks (and lowly culinary assistants) have to feed the hungary, and farmers have to feed their animals.  We can’t really get around that.  But honestly, there is no reason anyone should have to sell shirts.  Or ties. Or purses.  Or even bread. Eat ice cream for breakfast if you are out of toast ;) And have a happy and holy Sunday! *hops off of soap box*

Next time on Rae’s Rambling Rants... Meatless Fridays!Also, stay tuned for “Keeping Sunday, Part 2 - How to Celebrate!”

Comments welcome - and fully expected.  After all, ranters should expect some arguments.  So should renters, especially if they really like music and are hard of hearing.....