In order to come to a better understanding of the Church’s teaching regarding work on Sunday and the Third Commandment, the Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights the effects of work (or other activities) on us. 

 

It lists four categories to guard against. Namely, that which:

 

n hinders our worship of God, 

 

n keeps us from the joy proper to the Lord’s day, 

 

n prevents works of mercy, or 

 

n doesn’t allow for adequate relaxation of mind and body (CCC 2185). 

 

Some of these we’ve already touched upon to some degree, but regardless, we can look at any of these categories and discover some basic principles which are applicable to the others as well. 

 

Clearly, if our work or activity interferes with our ability to worship God properly (like attending Mass), then we need to pay particular attention to what that work entails. We can think of “work” in this context as employment (but it could include other forms as well). 

 

From the outset, an important distinction needs to be made. This is the difference between necessary

and unnecessary work. How truly essential is the work in question? 

 

If individuals are supporting themselves or their family through a job that requires such a work

schedule, then clearly it would fall into the “necessary” or the “required” category. 

 

If, however, the job wasn’t essential (perhaps it was a part-time job taken by a teenager to afford expensive clothing or video games), then he or she may not be morally justified in missing Mass in order to work it. In such cases, it can become simply a matter of priorities. 

 

Assuming, however, that the work in question is necessary and does interfere with attending Sunday Mass, we are still obligated to fulfill the Commandment insofar as we are able. 

 

First, ask the question, “Is it realistically possible to attend Mass somewhere — even if not at my parish or in my town?” If the answer is yes, then we have an obligation to do what we can to make it to Mass, even if it is somewhat of an inconvenience. 

 

We would only be exempted from the obligation to attend Mass if it was either impossible or unreasonable (if there were no Masses offered at a time we could attend or if, for example, it entailed driving a long distance to attend). An inconvenience doesn’t necessarily exempt one from an obligation, but impossibility or unreasonableness do. 

 

If there is no choice but to miss Sunday Mass, there can still be ways to honor the Third Commandment. It might mean attending Mass whenever we are able to. Or at least offering what prayer and worship we can, when we can. Maybe someone even takes another day of the week as a day more fully dedicated to all that the Third Commandment calls us to. 

 

While far from ideal or the norm, these are ways in which we still strive to fulfill the Commandment given the legitimate obstacles we may face. Hopefully, such situations would only be temporary or occasional and that an alternative schedule could be worked out eventually. 

 

It might also require, if possible, that the employee try to negotiate with the employer so that he or she can at least attend Sunday Mass even when required to work. 

 

Apart from the work or activity that interferes with our worship of God, we can look at the other three categories of concern the catechism points out in much the same light. 

 

If we know that something will hinder us in any of those ways, asking ourselves the simple question, “Is it really necessary that I do this now? Today?” can be a useful way to examine how well we are honoring the Lord’s Day. 

 

Whether it’s a job, laundry or homework, unless it’s a form of true recreation for us, asking that question might help us to see ways in which we can live the commandment more fully.