The Right to—A Sabbath Rest

When we speak of human rights, our focus sometimes narrows. The dignity of work and the rights of workers is one of the themes of Catholic Social Teaching. Rest from one’s labors is an integral part of that theme. A Sabbath rest is a matter of justice as well as religious practice.

The Sabbath is the first thing God sanctified. "God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good….So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation."  [Genesis 1:31; 2:3]

In the 21st century, the concept of a Sabbath rest sounds unrealistic. It is a practice from Old Testament times, and of the early Church that has been almost abandoned. Part of this abandonment stems, in part, from the economic requirements for many to work on the Sabbath.

Pope John Paul II addresses this issue in On Human Work, when he speaks of the rights of workers to rest. One of the social benefits of employment should involve this right.

"In the first place this involves a regular weekly rest comprising at least Sunday and also a longer period of rest, namely the holiday or vacation taken once a year or possibly in several shorter periods during the year."  [#19; 1981]

Employers often refer to the reality of supply and demand. As long as people demand products and services, workers are needed to meet these demands. Our Holy Father has spoken out against such dangers of consumerism.

"All of us experience firsthand the sad effects of this blind submission to pure consumerism: in the first place a crass materialism, and at the same time a radical dissatisfaction, because one quickly learns – unless one is shielded from the flood of publicity and the ceaseless and tempting offers of products – that the more one possesses the more one want, while deeper aspirations remain unsatisfied and perhaps even stifled." [On Social Concerns, #28, 1987]

One result of the call for rest from work that the Church recognizes is that such rest benefits the human spirit itself. It allows time to regroup, to connect with the Creator in a peaceful way. It also means that time away from work encourages better family communications. Sometimes the time worked is to provide children with things that otherwise could not be obtained. This, however, feeds into the consumerism issues as well as separating parent and child.

•		Discuss with parish staff members possible ways to approach the topic of Sabbath rest in your parish community. It is possible to have Justice and Peace Committee members talk with other parish groups, encouraging them to take steps toward participation in the Sabbath rest. How might they work together to get the whole parish involved? It’s always easier to accomplish something with the support of others in the challenge.
•		Motivate parishioners to find ways – even small ones – to have a Sabbath rest. Maybe it can’t even happen on the actual Sabbath – Sunday. Small steps can lead to big rewards. If people start setting aside some specific time to rest, and succeed with that, they can move on to bigger challenges.
•		Suggest individual families select a time for their sabbath together, a time to be together for a meal, conversation, an activity together or whatever works in their own unique family situation. They then need to continue this on a regular basis so it becomes a habit. Suggest a once monthly evaluation to determine what works, what doesn’t, and how best to proceed. Follow up with bulletin reminders about the Sabbath rest.

In 1998, Pope John Paul II emphasized the sacredness of Sundays in his letter, The Day of the Lord. "It is not difficult to note that this ‘holy day’ is extraordinarily rich in significance. Its religious sense certainly does not conflict with human values, which makes Sunday a time of rest, of enjoyment of nature and of more social relations."

Perhaps during the closing days of Lent there will be an opportunity to gather for a prayer activity, meditation, or even a brief retreat.