Keeping the sabbath is a sign that we want to be holy and that the Lord makes us holy (Ex 31:13). Keeping the sabbath is to be considered a perpetual covenant between us and the Lord (Ex 31:16). Therefore, the law of Israel specified that anyone who does not keep the sabbath "shall be put to death" and thereby "rooted out" of God's people (Ex 31:14).

Aware of this teaching in Exodus on keeping the sabbath, we can see why some Pharisees criticized Jesus' disciples for "picking a little corn" on the sabbath. We can also see how shocking and seemingly blasphemous was Jesus' claim to be "Lord even of the sabbath" (Lk 6:5).

Jesus, the Lord of the sabbath, has not abolished the law but fulfilled it (Mt 5:17). From the first century, the Church has maintained that Jesus changed the sabbath from the last day of the week to the first day (see Rv 1:10). We believe that Jesus has made Sunday both a day of resurrection and a day of rest. Therefore, to be under the lordship of Jesus, we should not work or buy things on Sunday. Sunday is for proclaiming Jesus' Resurrection through communal worship, Christian fellowship, Bible study, and prayer. Keep holy the Lord's day. Can your neighbors tell you are Christian by the way you and your family honor Sunday?

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 15, 2019

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