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The Complete Catholic Handbook
The Third Commandment
- What is the third Commandment?
- What are we commanded by the third Commandment?
- How are we to keep the Sunday holy?
- Why are we commanded to rest from servile works?
- What is the third Commandment?
The third Commandment is, ‘Remember
that thou keep holy the Sabbath day’.
Sabbath.
The day of rest. The seventh day of the week among the Jews — set
apart for rest from work, and kept holy in memory of God having rested on that
day, and of their deliverance out of Egypt. Among Christians the first day of the
week is kept holy, in memory of the Resurrection of our Lord, and the Descent
of the Holy Spirit.
- What are we commanded by the third Commandment?
By the third Commandment
we are commanded to keep the Sunday holy.
- How are we to keep the Sunday holy?
We are to keep the Sunday holy by
hearing Mass and resting from servile works.
Hearing Mass.
By this is meant that we must be bodily present in the place where
Mass is being said, and in such a manner as to form part of the congregation, and
pay great attention to all that is taking place upon the altar. The most important
or solemn parts of the Mass are the Offertory, the Consecration, and the priest’s
communion. We are excused from attending at Mass either by sickness, very bad
weather, great distance from church, great poverty, etc.
Servile works.
Such works as employ the body rather than the mind, and are
usually done by servants and tradespeople. There are two other kinds of work—
viz. liberal, or that work in which the mind is more engaged than the body, as
drawing, music, writing, etc.; and common work or such as is followed by all
classes, as fishing, hunting, shooting, etc.
- Why are we commanded to rest from servile works?
We are commanded to
rest from servile works that we may have time and opportunity for prayer, going
to the Sacraments, hearing instructions, and reading good books.
Hearing instructions.
Attending at sermons, catechism, Sunday School, etc.
Next: The Fourth Commandment
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