Keeping Sunday, Part 2...

    Let’s see...it’s been three weeks since my last “Keeping Sunday” post.  Time for round two!  

Okay, so we determined that shopping on Sunday isn’t the greatest idea.  At least, I hope that’s what we gained from that little rant.  This post shouldn’t be a rant.  It is on what we SHOULD be doing on Sunday. 

First Things First: Mass.  It isn’t an option.  You know those days they talk about, those “Holy Days of Obligation,” when we are supposed to go to Mass?  You know the ones.  The ones that they say if you don’t go to Mass, it is a mortal (soul-damning) sin?  (The ones they keep moving to Sunday?)  Yeah.  Now you remember.  What were they again?  Oh yes:  Christmas, New Years (Circumcision and Mary’s Purification,) Immaculate Conception, Ascension, Assumption, and All Saints Day.  But wait...why isn’t Easter on there?  And what about Pentecost? Aren’t they really, really important feasts?  Shouldn’t they be Holy Days of Obligation, too?  Hmmmm... Oh yeah!  That’s right!  They are.  Because every single Sunday is a Holy Day of Obligation.  Yup.  We risk our immortal soul if we don’t go to Mass on Sunday.  Of course, there are good reasons for missing Mass, like being sick or having to care for someone who is sick, but those are the exception to the rule.  Now that we have that straight.... but you knew all of that anyhow.  I will go into the wonders of the Mass another time.  Back to some ideas on keeping Sunday. 

So you go to Mass.  Maybe it’s an early Mass, maybe a later Mass.  You have breakfast (or brunch, or lunch.) Now what? Now I’m going to be honest.  I am not the perfect Sunday keeper.  You are probably far better at it than I.  I would love to hear your ideas, actually.  But I’m going to make a few suggestions.  Actually, I’m going to give a list of ideas.  ‘Cause lists are fun!

• Read the Bulletin.  Most pastors have a little article in there, so you might learn something.  It’s also interesting to see who’s getting married, who’s had a baby, things like that.  It’s the Catholic Gossip Page ;)  Events are generally listed, like fundraisers, or classes, or talks.  Don’t forget to check confession times!  By this time, you’ve drank your coffee, so time to move on…

• Spend some time with Family.  My dad always calls his parents on Sunday.  We used to go visit my other grandparents after Mass on Sundays.  All week we are running around, working, studying, and getting on with our individual lives.  It’s a good idea to have one day to reconnect with those people God put into our lives, (whether we like it or not.  Some get us to heaven by their holiness, others because they require OUR holiness to put up with them...) Talk to your family.  Play a game.  Share a few beers.  Get into deep theological discussions.  Or just talk about all the silly and wonderful things that happened to you all week.  I was watching a talk on marriage on EWTN one day, and something they said struck me, because I had never looked at it in this way before.  The speaker pointed out that all of the works of mercy are part of raising a family.  Seriously.  And, I might add, being part of a family. Visiting the imprisoned might be a stretch (I hope!) but the rest certainly hold true.  So before you lament that you have no time for the works of mercy, look at your family and start there.

 I found this image here. The Works of Mercy are a great place to start your Sunday!

• Write letters.  I love the idea of writing letters on Sunday afternoon.  It never happens, but who knows? Maybe this week I’ll succeed.  I want to write a real letter, with paper (you know, the stuff that goes in the printer?  Only nicer.)  Real paper and a real pen.  Maybe I’ll even make my own stationary.  A girl can dream.  There is just something about a real letter that email and facebook and chatting can’t touch.  Maybe it’s because you can hold it and smell it and because the letters aren’t perfect.  Besides, it’s lovely getting something in your mailbox besides bills and political ads (they are coming...) “But,” you are thinking, “I have nobody to write to.  Nothing to write about. Everybody knows everything about my life because I text and chat and facebook and email all day.” I’m guessing, though, that there is SOMEONE not on facebook.  Your grandma, perhaps?  Or maybe you know someone who deserves a little more personal touch?  Who knows...you may make their week.  As far as what to write about, write about them.  Share a memory, or share a story that made you think of them.  Share a prayer.  Tell them why you are thankful God made them part of your life.  (Must find pen and paper tomorrow.  And stamps.  Must find stamps.)

• Find ways to become closer to Christ.  This is really what it is all about.  “Honor the Sabbath and keep it holy.”  Everything about can bring you closer to Christ.  Actually, any act that is not sinful can bring you closer to Christ, if you offer it to Him.  Find Christ in those around you.  Spend some time learning more about your faith (there is ALWAYS more to learn.) Spend some time in front of the Blessed Sacrament, or take a walk and say an extra rosary.  Thank God for your week, and ask Him to bless the next week.  Ask Him what He wants you to do this week.  Ask what virtue you need to practice, and what vice you need to conquer this week. 

• Relax. Take a nap.  Sundays are made for naps.  And planning for a nap later really makes it easier to get out of bed for Mass some mornings.  Really, the fact that we aren’t supposed to work on Sunday is a blessing.  Our minds and bodies need refreshment.  A nap, or reading a good book, or doing other things that relax us really are healthy for both mind and soul.  

So, this is the end of my list of suggestions.  How do you Keep Sunday?