Nehemiah was a Jewish layman who was devoted to God and who longed to see God’s law kept by his people.  Through Moses, the Lord had commanded the ancient Israelites “to keep holy the sabbath day” — that is, to set aside a particular day each week especially for worship and rest (see Ex 20:8-11).  So Nehemiah rebuked the residents of Jerusalem for treating this sacred day like any other by working at their normal business (see Neh 13:15-22).

Scripture suggests that a regular day of rest is actually part of the “rhythm” of creation.  In the poetic language of Genesis, God himself is pictured as “resting” on the seventh day (Saturday) after creating the world, an example we are to imitate (see Gn 2:1-3; Ex 20:11).  Just as importantly, the Lord insists that we should give the same privilege of rest to family members, employees, guests, and even laboring animals (see Ex 20:10; 23:13).

Today the Church continues to call us to a weekly Sabbath.  But in honor of Jesus’ resurrection on a Sunday, this first day of the week is now our time for rest and worship — what the early Christians named “the Lord’s day” (see Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2; Rv 1:10).

Those who take the Sunday Sabbath seriously have found it a welcome respite.  In a society often driven by a compulsion to work, produce, and succeed, a weekly day when we stop all that (“Sabbath” comes from a Hebrew word meaning “to cease”) provides a humbling reminder: We’re not the ones who keep the world turning.  God is.

What should we avoid doing on the Sabbath?  “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation,” the Catechism teaches, “the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body (cf. CIC, can. 1247)” (2185).

Isn’t work on Sunday sometimes unavoidable?  The Catechism continues: “Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. [But the] faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses to not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life and health” (2185).

Related Scripture:

Texts Cited: Gn 2:1-3  •  Ex 20:8-11; 23:12  •  Neh 13:15-22  •  Acts 20:7  •  1 Cor 16:2  •  Rv 1:10
General: Ex 23:12; 31:15-17  •  Lv 16:29-31; 23:3, 24, 26-38  •  Dt 5:12-15  •  Is 56:2; 58:13-14  •  Mt 12:5; 28:1  •  Mk 1:21; 2:27-28; 3:4; 16:1-2  •  Lk 24:1  •  Jn 7:23; 9:14, 16; 20:1  •  Acts 2:42-46  •  Heb 4:9
Catechism of the Catholic Church: 345-49  •  2042  •  2168-2195