Keeping the Lord’s Day Holy - Archbishop Timothy Dolan

I've become a fan of Archbishop Dolan. He's insightful; what he says frequently causes me to reexamine my relationship with God and man. Yet he is also supremely down-to-earth. I've met some clerics who are unapproachable. But I think I'd love to have him over to dinner... just to chat.

Archbishop Dolan has a blog, too, called The Gospel in the Digital Age. It's well worth a visit.

In his St. Patty's day post, titled Keeping the Lord’s Day Holy, he focused on our observance of the Sabbath. Here is an excerpt of what he had to say:

There are many threats to Sunday observance. The more obvious ones may be easier to tackle head on. Do we need to work on Sunday? For some, there may be little choice, but for others it may well be possible to clear Sunday of unnecessary work. Sometimes, it may be a moment of evangelization to tell the boss, “I would like to have Sunday to worship God and be with my family.” It may plant a seed that bear good fruit.

Another obvious challenge is Sunday recreations – particularly children’s sports and other activities. This requires a firmer stand, as recreation is not as essential as work. At the very least, children’s activities should be organized in a way that permits the family to go to Mass, together if possible. There is no denying that this will occasion some sacrifice, but the development of a child is not well-served by indicating that Sunday Mass is secondary to other things. Social, sporting and other activities on Sunday can be a real occasion for family togetherness and fruitful rest. But if just getting to everything on Sunday leaves everyone in the family worn out, then some adjustments need to be made.

A more subtle challenge to authentic Sabbath rest is our communications technology. It is possible to be at home with the family on Sunday but engaged elsewhere, answering emails from work, text messaging friends far away rather than talking to family members in the same house. Indeed, with multiple televisions and computers in the same house, it is possible for members of the family to isolate themselves from each other. A twenty-first century update to Sunday observance may well include a deliberate setting aside of mobile phones, laptops and video games!

Objections to Sunday Mass

Many of you reading this St. Patrick’s Day message already are keeping the Lord’s Day holy. Keep it up.

How about giving this message to someone who no longer does, especially if he or she has stopped going to Sunday Mass? Get ready for the excuses:

• “Sunday is our only free time together.” (Great, what better way to spend that time than by praying together at Mass).
• “I pray my own way.” (Nice idea. But, odds are, you don’t).
• “The sermon is boring.” (You may have a point).
• “I hate all the changes at Mass.” (see below)
• “I want more changes at Mass.” (see above)
• “Until the church makes some changes in its teaching, I’m staying away.” (But, don’t we go to Mass to ask God to change us, not to tell God how we want Him and His Church to change to suit us?)
• “Everybody there is a hypocrite and always judging me.” (Who’s judging whom here?)
• . . . and the list goes on.

And the simple fact remains: the Eucharist is the most beautiful, powerful prayer that we have. To miss it is to miss Jesus — His Word, His people, His presence, His Body and Blood.

How about you and your family. How do you keep Lord's Day Holy? Is this sometimes a struggle? What gets in the way? What suggestions would you offer to someone who wants to reorder their Sabbath priorities?