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?   

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.....