1. Chapter 12 The Third Commandment

3. Questions to Ponder What Obligations does faithful observance of the third commandment place on the Christians in modern society? How should Christians resolve the conflicts that sometimes arise between the demands of this commandment and other obligations?

4. Introduction

5. Sunday… The Lords Day –Celebrates the completion of Creation Obligatory day of worship Obligatory day of rest

6. Section One The Importance of the Sabbath in the Old Testament

7. Third Commandment Exodus 20: 8-11 –Rest was primary and worship was secondary Leviticus –Sabbath was for rest/worship Pharisees –Casuistic morality Condemned by Jesus

8. Section Two The Lords Day in the New Testament

9. Third Commandment The first day of the week, [they] gathered together to break bread (Acts 20:7) St Ignatius of Antioch laid foundation for Sabbath day to be Sunday Constantine the Great solidified it

10. Section Three The Christian Sunday

11. Third Commandment E. Church celebrations –private 325 AD –Edict of Milan Emperor forbids certain public works –Day of rest born Council of Orleans AD 511/538 –Christians encouraged to create laws forbidding certain work –REST!

12. Section Four The Obligation of Attending Mass on Sundays/Holy Days of Obligation

14. Origins of Obligation Giving worship to God one day a week Eucharist Carries on the redemptive mission of the Church

15. Holy Days of Obligation Mary Mother of God (Jan 1) The Ascension of Jesus (40 days after Easter) The Assumption of Mary (Aug 15) The Feast of All Saints (Nov 1) The Immaculate Conception (Dec 8) Christmas Day (Dec 25 th )

16. Section Five The Fulfillment of the Precept of Attending Mass

17. Mass Attendance Serious/grave sin if missed Only permissible to miss if serious matter Taking care of an infant Illness

18. Section Six Obligation to Rest

20. Why Rest? Rest facilitates the worship of God by eliminating outside distractions The need for rest is a requirement of the human condition

21. Section Seven Activity Permitted on Sunday

22. You Can Do… So long as… –It does not impede upon the celebration of the Eucharist –It does not inhibit the festive happiness of Sunday –It does not make bodily or mental rest impossible

23. Section Eight Re-Christianization of Sunday

24. Let it be Known You CAN eliminate the burdens of modern society! –Let other know that you intend on keeping the Sabbath –If a work obligation –work, but keep God as the Focus!

26. Conclusion

27. Final Thoughts… You have a SERIOUS obligation to attend Mass! When you do not go to Mass –You lose the gifts of the Holy Spirit –Your conscience is deadened –Your attitudes/conduct deteriorate

28. Works Cited Our Moral Life in Christ. United States : Midwestern Theological Seminary, 2006.