Dies Domini - On keeping the Lord's day holy

8/6/2019 Dies Domini - On keeping the Lord's day holy

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APOSTOLICLETTER

DIESDOMINI

OFTHEHOLYFATHER

JOHNPAULII

TOTHEBISHOPS,CLERGYANDFAITHFUL

OFTHECATHOLICCHURCH

ONKEEPINGTHELORDSDAYHOLY

MyesteemedBrothersintheEpiscopate

andthePriesthood,

Dear

Brothers

and

Sisters!

1.TheLordsDayasSundaywascalledfromApostolic

times(1)hasalwaysbeenaccordedspecialattentionin

thehistoryoftheChurchbecauseofitscloseconnection

withtheverycoreoftheChristianmystery.Infact,inthe

weeklyreckoningoftimeSundayrecallsthedayof

ChristsResurrection.ItisEasterwhichreturnsweekby

week,celebratingChristsvictoryoversinanddeath,the

fulfilmentinhimofthefirstcreationandthedawnof the


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newcreation (cf.2Cor5:17).Itisthedaywhichrecallsin

gratefuladorationtheworldsfirstdayandlooksforward

inactivehopeto thelastday ,whenChristwillcomein

glory(cf.Acts1:11;1Th4:1317)andallthingswillbe

madenew(cf.Rev21:5).

Rightly,then,thePsalmistscryisappliedtoSunday:

ThisisthedaywhichtheLordhasmade:letusrejoice

andbegladinit (Ps118:24).Thisinvitationtojoy,which

theEasterliturgymakesitsown,reflectstheastonishment

whichcameoverthewomenwho,havingseenthe

crucifixionofChrist,foundthetombemptywhenthey

wentthere veryearlyonthefirstdayaftertheSabbath

(Mk

16:2).

It

is

an

invitation

to

relive

in

some

way

the

experienceofthetwodisciplesofEmmaus,whofelttheir

hearts burnwithinthem astheRisenOnewalkedwith

themontheroad,explainingtheScripturesandrevealing

himselfin thebreakingofthebread (cf.Lk24:32,35).

Anditechoesthejoyatfirstuncertainandthen

overwhelmingwhichtheApostlesexperiencedonthe

eveningofthatsameday,whentheywerevisitedbythe

RisenJesusandreceivedthegiftofhispeaceandofhis

Spirit(cf.Jn20:1923).


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2.TheResurrectionofJesusisthefundamentalevent

uponwhichChristianfaithrests(cf.1Cor15:14).Itisan

astonishingreality,fullygraspedinthelightoffaith,yet

historicallyattestedtobythosewhowereprivilegedtosee

theRisenLord.Itisawondrouseventwhichisnotonly

absolutelyuniqueinhumanhistory,butwhichliesatthe

veryheartofthemysteryoftime.Infact, alltimebelongs

to[Christ]andalltheages ,astheevocativeliturgyofthe

EasterVigilrecallsinpreparingthePaschalCandle.

Therefore,incommemoratingthedayofChrists

ResurrectionnotjustonceayearbuteverySunday,the

Churchseekstoindicatetoeverygenerationthetrue

fulcrum

of

history,

to

which

the

mystery

of

the

world

s

originanditsfinaldestinyleads.

Itisright,therefore,toclaim,inthewordsofafourth

centuryhomily,that theLordsDay is thelordof

days.(2)Thosewhohavereceivedthegraceoffaithinthe

RisenLordcannotfailtograspthesignificanceofthisday

oftheweekwiththesamedeepemotionwhichledSaint

Jerometosay: SundayisthedayoftheResurrection,itis

thedayofChristians,itisourday.(3)ForChristians,


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Sundayis thefundamentalfeastday ,(4)establishednot

onlytomarkthesuccessionoftimebuttorevealtimes

deepermeaning.

3.ThefundamentalimportanceofSundayhasbeen

recognizedthroughtwothousandyearsofhistoryand

wasemphaticallyrestatedbytheSecondVaticanCouncil:

Everysevendays,theChurchcelebratestheEaster

mystery.ThisisatraditiongoingbacktotheApostles,

takingitsoriginfromtheactualdayofChrists

Resurrectionadaythusappropriatelydesignated the

LordsDay.(5)PaulVIemphasizedthisimportanceonce

morewhenheapprovedthenewGeneralRoman

Calendar

and

the

Universal

Norms

which

regulate

the

orderingoftheLiturgicalYear.(6)ThecomingoftheThird

Millennium,whichcallsbelieverstoreflectuponthe

courseofhistoryinthelightofChrist,alsoinvitesthemto

rediscoverwithnewintensitythemeaningofSunday:its

mystery ,itscelebration,itssignificanceforChristianand

humanlife.

InotewithpleasurethatintheyearssincetheCouncilthis

importantthemehaspromptednotonlymany


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interventionsbyyou,dearBrotherBishops,asteachersof

thefaith,butalsodifferentpastoralstrategieswhich

withthesupportofyourclergyyouhavedeveloped

eitherindividuallyorjointly.Onthethresholdofthe

GreatJubileeoftheYear2000,ithasbeenmywishtooffer

youthisApostolicLetterinordertosupportyourpastoral

effortsinthisvitalarea.ButatthesametimeIwishtoturn

toallofyou,Christsfaithful,asthoughIwerespiritually

presentinallthecommunitiesinwhichyougatherwith

yourPastorseachSundaytocelebratetheEucharistand

theLordsDay.Manyoftheinsightsandintuitions

whichpromptthisApostolicLetterhavegrownfrommy

episcopalserviceinKrakowand,sincethetimewhenI

assumed

the

ministry

of

Bishop

of

Rome

and

Successor

of

Peter,inthevisitstotheRomanparisheswhichIhave

maderegularlyontheSundaysofthedifferentseasonsof

theLiturgicalYear.IseethisLetterascontinuingthe

livelyexchangewhichIamalwayshappytohavewiththe

faithful,asIreflectwithyouonthemeaningofSunday

andunderlinethereasonsforlivingSundayastruly the

LordsDay ,alsointhechangingcircumstancesofour

owntimes.


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4.Untilquiterecently,itwaseasierintraditionally

ChristiancountriestokeepSundayholybecauseitwasan

almostuniversalpracticeandbecause,eveninthe

organizationofcivilsociety,Sundayrestwasconsidereda

fixedpartoftheworkschedule.Today,however,evenin

thosecountrieswhichgivelegalsanctiontothefestive

characterofSunday,changesinsocioeconomicconditions

haveoftenledtoprofoundmodificationsofsocial

behaviourandhenceofthecharacterofSunday.The

customofthe weekend hasbecomemorewidespread,a

weeklyperiodofrespite,spentperhapsfarfromhome

andofteninvolvingparticipationincultural,politicalor

sportingactivitieswhichareusuallyheldonfreedays.

This

social

and

cultural

phenomenon

is

by

no

means

withoutitspositiveaspectsif,whilerespectingtrue

values,itcancontributetopeoplesdevelopmentandto

theadvancementofthelifeofsocietyasawhole.Allof

thisrespondsnotonlytotheneedforrest,butalsotothe

needforcelebrationwhichisinherentinourhumanity.

Unfortunately,whenSundaylosesitsfundamental

meaningandbecomesmerelypartofa weekend ,itcan

happenthatpeoplestaylockedwithinahorizonso

limitedthattheycannolongersee theheavens.(7)


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Hence,thoughreadytocelebrate,theyarereallyincapable

ofdoingso.

ThedisciplesofChrist,however,areaskedtoavoidany

confusionbetweenthecelebrationofSunday,which

shouldtrulybeawayofkeepingtheLordsDayholy,and

the weekend ,understoodasatimeofsimplerestand

relaxation.Thiswillrequireagenuinespiritualmaturity,

whichwillenableChristiansto bewhattheyare ,infull

accordancewiththegiftoffaith,alwaysreadytogivean

accountofthehopewhichisinthem(cf.1Pt3:15).Inthis

way,theywillbeledtoadeeperunderstandingof

Sunday,withtheresultthat,evenindifficultsituations,

they

will

be

able

to

live

it

in

complete

docility

to

the

Holy

Spirit.

5.Fromthisperspective,thesituationappearssomewhat

mixed.Ontheonehand,thereistheexampleofsome

youngChurches,whichshowhowferventlySundaycan

becelebrated,whetherinurbanareasorinwidely

scatteredvillages.Bycontrast,inotherpartsoftheworld,

becauseofthesociologicalpressuresalreadynoted,and

perhapsbecausethemotivationoffaithisweak,the


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percentageofthoseattendingtheSundayliturgyis

strikinglylow.Inthemindsofmanyofthefaithful,not

onlythesenseofthecentralityoftheEucharistbuteven

thesenseofthedutytogivethankstotheLordandto

praytohimwithothersinthecommunityoftheChurch,

seemstobediminishing.

Itisalsotruethatbothinmissioncountriesandin

countriesevangelizedlongagothelackofpriestsissuch

thatthecelebrationoftheSundayEucharistcannotalways

beguaranteedineverycommunity.

6.Giventhisarrayofnewsituationsandthequestions

which

they

prompt,

it

seems

more

necessary

than

ever

to

recoverthedeepdoctrinalfoundationsunderlyingthe

Churchsprecept,sothattheabidingvalueofSundayin

theChristianlifewillbecleartoallthefaithful.Indoing

this,wefollowinthefootstepsoftheageoldtraditionof

theChurch,powerfullyrestatedbytheSecondVatican

CouncilinitsteachingthatonSunday Christianbelievers

shouldcometogether,inordertocommemoratethe

suffering,ResurrectionandgloryoftheLordJesus,by

hearingGodsWordandsharingtheEucharist,andto


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givethankstoGodwhohasgiventhemnewbirthtoa

livinghopethroughtheResurrectionofJesusChristfrom

thedead(cf.1Pt1:3).(8)

7.ThedutytokeepSundayholy,especiallybysharingin

theEucharistandbyrelaxinginaspiritofChristianjoy

andfraternity,iseasilyunderstoodifweconsiderthe

manydifferentaspectsofthisdayuponwhichthepresent

Letterwillfocusourattention.

SundayisadaywhichisattheveryheartoftheChristian

life.FromthebeginningofmyPontificate,Ihavenot

ceasedtorepeat: Donotbeafraid!Open,openwidethe

doors

to

Christ!

.(9)

In

the

same

way,

today

I

would

stronglyurgeeveryonetorediscoverSunday:Donotbe

afraidtogiveyourtimetoChrist!Yes,letusopenour

timetoChrist,thathemaycastlightuponitandgiveit

direction.HeistheOnewhoknowsthesecretoftimeand

thesecretofeternity,andhegivesus hisday asanever

newgiftofhislove.Therediscoveryofthisdayisagrace

whichwemustimplore,notonlysothatwemaylivethe

demandsoffaithtothefull,butalsosothatwemay

respondconcretelytothedeepesthumanyearnings.Time


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giventoChristisnevertimelost,butisrathertimegained,

sothatourrelationshipsandindeedourwholelifemay

becomemoreprofoundlyhuman.

CHAPTERI

DIESDOMINI

TheCelebrationoftheCreatorsWork

Through

him

all

things

were

made

(Jn

1:3)

8.FortheChristian,SundayisaboveallanEaster

celebration,whollyilluminedbythegloryoftheRisen

Christ.Itisthefestivalofthe newcreation.Yet,when

understoodindepth,thisaspectisinseparablefromwhat

thefirstpagesofScripturetellusoftheplanofGodinthe

creationoftheworld.ItistruethattheWordwasmade

fleshin thefullnessoftime (Gal4:4);butitisalsotrue

that,invirtueofthemysteryofhisidentityastheeternal


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SonoftheFather,heistheoriginandendoftheuniverse.

AsJohnwritesinthePrologueofhisGospel: Through

himallthingsweremade,andwithouthimwasmade

nothingthatwasmade (1:3).Paultoostressesthisin

writingtotheColossians: Inhimallthingswerecreated,

inheavenandonearth,visibleandinvisible....Allthings

werecreatedthroughhimandforhim (1:16).Thisactive

presenceoftheSoninthecreativeworkofGodisrevealed

fullyinthePaschalMystery,inwhichChrist,risingas the

firstfruitsofthosewhohadfallenasleep (1Cor15:20),

establishedthenewcreationandbegantheprocesswhich

hehimselfwillbringtocompletionwhenhereturnsin

gloryto deliverthekingdomtoGodtheFather...,sothat

God

may

be

everything

to

everyone

(1

Cor

15:24,28).

Alreadyatthedawnofcreation,therefore,theplanofGod

impliedChrists cosmicmission.ThisChristocentric

perspective,embracingthewholearcoftime,filledGods

wellpleasedgazewhen,ceasingfromallhiswork,he

blessedtheseventhdayandmadeitholy (Gn2:3).

AccordingtothePriestlywriterofthefirstbiblical

creationstory,thenwasbornthe Sabbath ,so

characteristicofthefirstCovenant,andwhichinsome


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waysforetellsthesacreddayofthenewandfinal

Covenant.Thethemeof Godsrest (cf.Gn2:2)andthe

restwhichheofferedtothepeopleoftheExoduswhen

theyenteredthePromisedLand(cf.Ex33:14;Dt3:20;12:9;

Jos21:44;Ps95:11)isrereadintheNewTestamentinthe

lightofthedefinitive Sabbathrest (Heb4:9)intowhich

ChristhimselfhasenteredbyhisResurrection.ThePeople

ofGodarecalledtoenterintothissamerestby

perseveringinChristsexampleoffilialobedience(cf.Heb

4:316).InordertograspfullythemeaningofSunday,

therefore,wemustrereadthegreatstoryofcreationand

deepenourunderstandingofthetheologyofthe

Sabbath.

Inthebeginning,Godcreatedtheheavensandtheearth

(Gn1:1)

9.ThepoeticstyleoftheGenesisstoryconveyswellthe

awewhichpeoplefeelbeforetheimmensityofcreation

andtheresultingsenseofadorationoftheOnewho

broughtallthingsintobeingfromnothing.Itisastoryof

intensereligioussignificance,ahymntotheCreatorofthe

universe,pointingtohimastheonlyLordinthefaceof


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recurringtemptationstodivinizetheworlditself.Atthe

sametime,itisahymntothegoodnessofcreation,all

fashionedbythemightyandmercifulhandofGod.

Godsawthatitwasgood (Gn1:10,12,etc.).Punctuating

thestoryasitdoes,thisrefrainshedsapositivelightupon

everyelementoftheuniverseandrevealsthesecretfora

properunderstandingofitandforitseventual

regeneration:theworldisgoodinsofarasitremainstied

toitsoriginand,afterbeingdisfiguredbysin,itisagain

madegoodwhen,withthehelpofgrace,itreturnstothe

Onewhomadeit.Itisclearthatthisprocessdirectly

concernsnotinanimateobjectsandanimalsbuthuman

beings,

who

have

been

endowed

with

the

incomparable

giftandriskoffreedom.Immediatelyafterthecreation

stories,theBiblehighlightsthedramaticcontrastbetween

thegrandeurofman,createdintheimageandlikenessof

God,andthefallofman,whichunleashesontheworld

thedarknessofsinanddeath(cf.Gn3).

10.ComingasitdoesfromthehandofGod,thecosmos

bearstheimprintofhisgoodness.Itisabeautifulworld,

rightlymovingustoadmirationanddelight,butalso


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callingforcultivationanddevelopment.Atthe

completion ofGodswork,theworldisreadyforhuman

activity. OntheseventhdayGodfinishedhisworkwhich

hehaddone,andherestedontheseventhdayfromallhis

workwhichhehaddone (Gn2:2).Withthis

anthropomorphicimageofGods work ,theBiblenot

onlygivesusaglimpseofthemysteriousrelationship

betweentheCreatorandthecreatedworld,butalsocasts

lightuponthetaskofhumanbeingsinrelationtothe

cosmos.The work ofGodisinsomewaysanexample

forman,callednotonlytoinhabitthecosmos,butalsoto

build itandthusbecomeGods coworker.AsIwrote

inmyEncyclicalLaboremExercens,thefirstchaptersof

Genesis

constitute

in

a

sense

the

first

gospel

of

work

.(10)

ThisisatruthwhichtheSecondVaticanCouncilalso

stressed: CreatedinGodsimage,manwascommissioned

tosubduetheearthandallitcontains,toruletheworldin

justiceandholiness,and,recognizingGodasthecreatorof

allthings,toreferhimselfandthetotalityofthingstoGod

sothatwitheverythingsubjecttoGod,thedivinename

wouldbeglorifiedinalltheearth.(11)


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Theexhilaratingadvanceofscience,technologyand

cultureintheirvariousformsanevermorerapidand

todayevenoverwhelmingdevelopmentisthehistorical

consequenceofthemissionbywhichGodentruststoman

andwomanthetaskandresponsibilityoffillingtheearth

andsubduingitbymeansoftheirwork,intheobservance

ofGodsLaw.

Shabbat:theCreatorsjoyfulrest

11.IfthefirstpageoftheBookofGenesispresentsGods

work asanexampleforman,thesameistrueofGods

rest: OntheseventhdayGodfinishedhisworkwhich

he

had

done

(Gn

2:2).

Here

too

we

find

an

anthropomorphismchargedwithawealthofmeaning.

ItwouldbebanaltointerpretGods rest asakindof

divine inactivity.Byitsnature,thecreativeactwhich

foundstheworldisunceasingandGodisalwaysatwork,

asJesushimselfdeclaresinspeakingoftheSabbath

precept: MyFatherisworkingstill,andIamworking (Jn

5:17).Thedivinerestoftheseventhdaydoesnotalludeto

aninactiveGod,butemphasizesthefullnessofwhathas


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beenaccomplished.Itspeaks,asitwere,ofGods

lingeringbeforethe verygoodwork(Gn1:31)whichhis

handhaswrought,inordertocastuponitagazefullof

joyousdelight.Thisisa contemplative gazewhichdoes

notlooktonewaccomplishmentsbutenjoysthebeautyof

whathasalreadybeenachieved.ItisagazewhichGod

castsuponallthings,butinaspecialwayuponman,the

crownofcreation.Itisagazewhichalreadydiscloses

somethingofthenuptialshapeoftherelationshipwhich

Godwantstoestablishwiththecreaturemadeinhisown

image,bycallingthatcreaturetoenterapactoflove.This

iswhatGodwillgraduallyaccomplish,inoffering

salvationtoallhumanitythroughthesavingcovenant

made

with

Israel

and

fulfilled

in

Christ.

It

will

be

the

WordIncarnate,throughtheeschatologicalgiftofthe

HolySpiritandtheconfigurationoftheChurchashis

BodyandBride,whowillextendtoallhumanitytheoffer

ofmercyandthecalloftheFatherslove.

12.IntheCreatorsplan,thereisbothadistinctionanda

closelinkbetweentheorderofcreationandtheorderof

salvation.ThisisemphasizedintheOldTestament,when

itlinksthe shabbat commandmentnotonlywithGods


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mysterious rest afterthedaysofcreation(cf.Ex20:811),

butalsowiththesalvationwhichheofferstoIsraelinthe

liberationfromtheslaveryofEgypt(cf.Dt5:1215).The

Godwhorestsontheseventhday,rejoicinginhis

creation,isthesameGodwhorevealshisgloryin

liberatinghischildrenfromPharaohsoppression.

AdoptinganimagedeartotheProphets,onecouldsay

thatinbothcasesGodrevealshimselfasthebridegroom

beforethebride(cf.Hos2:1624;Jer2:2;Is54:48).

AscertainelementsofthesameJewishtradition

suggest,(12)toreachtheheartofthe shabbat ,ofGods

rest ,weneedtorecognizeinboththeOldandtheNew

Testament

the

nuptial

intensity

which

marks

the

relationshipbetweenGodandhispeople.Hosea,for

instance,putsitthusinthismarvellouspassage: Iwill

makeforyouacovenantonthatdaywiththebeastsofthe

field,thebirdsoftheair,andthecreepingthingsofthe

ground;andIwillabolishthebow,thesword,andwar

fromtheland;andIwillmakeyouliedowninsafety.And

Iwillbetrothyoutomeforever;Iwillbetrothyoutome

inrighteousnessandinjustice,insteadfastloveandin


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mercy.Iwillbetrothyoutomeinfaithfulness;andyou

shallknowtheLord (2:1820).

Godblessedtheseventhdayandmadeitholy (Gn2:3)

13.TheSabbathprecept,whichinthefirstCovenant

preparesfortheSundayofthenewandeternalCovenant,

isthereforerootedinthedepthsofGodsplan.Thisis

why,unlikemanyotherprecepts,itissetnotwithinthe

contextofstrictlyculticstipulationsbutwithinthe

Decalogue,the tenwords whichrepresentthevery

pillarsofthemorallifeinscribedonthehumanheart.In

settingthiscommandmentwithinthecontextofthebasic

structure

of

ethics,

Israel

and

then

the

Church

declare

that

theyconsideritnotjustamatterofcommunityreligious

disciplinebutadefiningandindelibleexpressionofour

relationshipwithGod,announcedandexpoundedby

biblicalrevelation.Thisistheperspectivewithinwhich

Christiansneedtorediscoverthisprecepttoday.Although

thepreceptmaymergenaturallywiththehumanneedfor

rest,itisfaithalonewhichgivesaccesstoitsdeeper

meaningandensuresthatitwillnotbecomebanaland

trivialized.


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14.Inthefirstplace,therefore,Sundayisthedayofrest

becauseitistheday blessedbyGodand madeholyby

him,setapartfromtheotherdaystobe,amongallof

them, theLordsDay.

Inordertograspfullywhatthefirstofthebiblicalcreation

accountsmeansbykeepingtheSabbath holy ,weneedto

considerthewholestory,whichshowsclearlyhowevery

reality,withoutexception,mustbereferredbacktoGod.

Timeandspacebelongtohim.HeisnottheGodofone

dayalone,buttheGodofallthedaysofhumanity.

Therefore,

if

God

sanctifies

the

seventh

day

with

a

specialblessingandmakesit hisday parexcellence,this

mustbeunderstoodwithinthedeepdynamicofthe

dialogueoftheCovenant,indeedthedialogueof

marriage.Thisisthedialogueoflovewhichknowsno

interruption,yetisnevermonotonous.Infact,itemploys

thedifferentregistersoflove,fromtheordinaryand

indirecttothosemoreintense,whichthewordsof

Scriptureandthewitnessofsomanymysticsdonot


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hesitatetodescribeinimagerydrawnfromtheexperience

ofmarriedlove.

15.Allhumanlife,andthereforeallhumantime,must

becomepraiseoftheCreatorandthanksgivingtohim.But

mansrelationshipwithGodalsodemandstimesof

explicitprayer,inwhichtherelationshipbecomesan

intensedialogue,involvingeverydimensionofthe

person. TheLordsDay isthedayofthisrelationshippar

excellencewhenmenandwomenraisetheirsongtoGod

andbecomethevoiceofallcreation.

Thisispreciselywhyitisalsothedayofrest.Speaking

vividly

as

it

does

of

renewal

and

detachment

,

the

interruptionoftheoftenoppressiverhythmofwork

expressesthedependenceofmanandthecosmosupon

God.EverythingbelongstoGod!TheLordsDayreturns

againandagaintodeclarethisprinciplewithintheweekly

reckoningoftime.The Sabbath hasthereforebeen

interpretedevocativelyasadeterminingelementinthe

kindof sacredarchitecture oftimewhichmarksbiblical

revelation.(13)Itrecallsthattheuniverseandhistory

belongtoGod;andwithoutaconstantawarenessofthat


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truth,mancannotserveintheworldascoworkerofthe

Creator.

To keepholyby remembering

16.ThecommandmentoftheDecaloguebywhichGod

decreestheSabbathobservanceisformulatedintheBook

ofExodusinadistinctiveway: RemembertheSabbath

dayinordertokeepitholy (20:8).Andtheinspiredtext

goesontogivethereasonforthis,recallingasitdoesthe

workofGod: ForinsixdaystheLordmadeheavenand

earth,thesea,andallthatisinthem,andrestedonthe

seventhday;thereforetheLordblessedtheSabbathday

and

made

it

holy

(v.

11).

Before

decreeing

that

something

bedone,thecommandmenturgesthatsomethingbe

remembered.Itisacalltoawakenremembranceofthe

grandandfundamentalworkofGodwhichiscreation,a

remembrancewhichmustinspiretheentirereligiouslife

ofmanandthenfillthedayonwhichmaniscalledtorest.

Restthereforeacquiresasacredvalue:thefaithfulare

calledtorestnotonlyasGodrested,buttorestinthe

Lord,bringingtheentirecreationtohim,inpraiseand

thanksgiving,intimateasachildandfriendlyasaspouse.


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17.TheconnectionbetweenSabbathrestandthethemeof

remembering GodswondersisfoundalsointheBookof

Deuteronomy(5:1215),wherethepreceptisgrounded

lessintheworkofcreationthanintheworkofliberation

accomplishedbyGodintheExodus: Youshallremember

thatyouwereaslaveinthelandofEgypt,andtheLord

yourGodbroughtyououtfromtherewithmightyhand

andoutstretchedarm;thereforetheLordyourGod

commandedyoutokeeptheSabbathday (Dt5:15).

Thisformulationcomplementstheonewehavealready

seen;andtakentogether,thetworevealthemeaningof

the

Lord

s

Day

within

a

single

theological

vision

which

fusescreationandsalvation.Therefore,themainpointof

thepreceptisnotjustanykindofinterruptionofwork,

butthecelebrationofthemarvelswhichGodhas

wrought.

Insofarasthis remembrance isalive,fullofthanksgiving

andofthepraiseofGod,humanrestontheLordsDay

takesonitsfullmeaning.Itisthenthatmanentersthe

depthsofGods rest andcanexperienceatremorofthe


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Creatorsjoywhen,afterthecreation,hesawthatallhe

hadmade wasverygood (Gn1:31).

FromtheSabbathtoSunday

18.BecausetheThirdCommandmentdependsuponthe

remembranceofGodssavingworksandbecause

ChristianssawthedefinitivetimeinauguratedbyChrist

asanewbeginning,theymadethefirstdayafterthe

Sabbathafestiveday,forthatwasthedayonwhichthe

Lordrosefromthedead.ThePaschalMysteryofChristis

thefullrevelationofthemysteryoftheworldsorigin,the

climaxofthehistoryofsalvationandtheanticipationof

the

eschatological

fulfilment

of

the

world.

What

God

accomplishedinCreationandwroughtforhisPeoplein

theExodushasfounditsfullestexpressioninChrists

DeathandResurrection,thoughitsdefinitivefulfilment

willnotcomeuntiltheParousia,whenChristreturnsin

glory.Inhim,the spiritualmeaningoftheSabbathis

fullyrealized,asSaintGregorytheGreatdeclares: Forus,

thetrueSabbathisthepersonofourRedeemer,ourLord

JesusChrist.(14)ThisiswhythejoywithwhichGod,on

humanitysfirstSabbath,contemplatesallthatwascreated


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fromnothing,isnowexpressedinthejoywithwhich

Christ,onEasterSunday,appearedtohisdisciples,

bringingthegiftofpeaceandthegiftoftheSpirit(cf.Jn

20:1923).ItwasinthePaschalMysterythathumanity,

andwithitthewholecreation, groaninginbirthpangs

untilnow (Rom8:22),cametoknowitsnew exodus into

thefreedomofGodschildrenwhocancryoutwith

Christ, Abba,Father! (Rom8:15;Gal4:6).Inthelightof

thismystery,themeaningoftheOldTestamentprecept

concerningtheLordsDayisrecovered,perfectedand

fullyrevealedintheglorywhichshinesonthefaceofthe

RisenChrist(cf.2Cor4:6).Wemovefromthe Sabbath to

the firstdayaftertheSabbath ,fromtheseventhdayto

the

first

day:

the

dies

Domini

becomes

the

dies

Christi!

CHAPTERII

DIESCHRISTI

TheDayoftheRisenLord


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andoftheGift

oftheHolySpirit

TheweeklyEaster

19. WecelebrateSundaybecauseofthevenerable

ResurrectionofourLordJesusChrist,andwedosonot

onlyatEasterbutalsoateachturningoftheweek:so

wrotePopeInnocentIatthebeginningofthefifth

century,(15)testifyingtoanalreadywellestablished

practicewhichhadevolvedfromtheearlyyearsafterthe

LordsResurrection.SaintBasilspeaksof holySunday,

honouredbytheLordsResurrection,thefirstfruitsofall

the

other

days

;(16)

and

Saint

Augustine

calls

Sunday

a

sacramentofEaster.(17)

TheintimatebondbetweenSundayandtheResurrection

oftheLordisstronglyemphasizedbyalltheChurchesof

EastandWest.InthetraditionoftheEasternChurchesin

particular,everySundayistheanastsimoshemra,the

dayofResurrection,(18)andthisiswhyitstandsatthe

heartofallworship.


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Inthelightofthisconstantanduniversaltradition,itis

clearthat,althoughtheLordsDayisrootedinthevery

workofcreationandevenmoreinthemysteryofthe

biblical rest ofGod,itisnonethelesstotheResurrection

ofChristthatwemustlookinordertounderstandfully

theLordsDay.ThisiswhattheChristianSundaydoes,

leadingthefaithfuleachweektoponderandlivethe

eventofEaster,truesourceoftheworldssalvation.

20.AccordingtothecommonwitnessoftheGospels,the

ResurrectionofJesusChristfromthedeadtookplaceon

thefirstdayaftertheSabbath (Mk16:2,9;Lk24:1;Jn

20:1).Onthesameday,theRisenLordappearedtothe

two

disciples

of

Emmaus

(cf.

Lk

24:13

35)

and

to

the

elevenApostlesgatheredtogether(cf.Lk24:36;Jn20:19).

AweeklaterastheGospelofJohnrecounts(cf.20:26)

thedisciplesweregatheredtogetheronceagain,when

Jesusappearedtothemandmadehimselfknownto

ThomasbyshowinghimthesignsofhisPassion.Theday

ofPentecostthefirstdayoftheeighthweekafterthe

JewishPassover(cf.Acts2:1),whenthepromisemadeby

JesustotheApostlesaftertheResurrectionwasfulfilled

bytheoutpouringoftheHolySpirit(cf.Lk24:49;Acts1:4


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5)alsofellonaSunday.Thiswasthedayofthefirst

proclamationandthefirstbaptisms:Peterannouncedto

theassembledcrowdthatChristwasrisenand thosewho

receivedhiswordwerebaptized (Acts2:41).Thiswasthe

epiphanyoftheChurch,revealedasthepeopleintowhich

aregatheredinunity,beyondalltheirdifferences,the

scatteredchildrenofGod.

Thefirstdayoftheweek

21.Itwasforthisreasonthat,fromApostolictimes, the

firstdayaftertheSabbath ,thefirstdayoftheweek,

begantoshapetherhythmoflifeforChristsdisciples(cf.

1

Cor

16:2).

The

first

day

after

the

Sabbath

was

also

the

dayuponwhichthefaithfulofTroasweregathered for

thebreakingofbread ,whenPaulbadethemfarewelland

miraculouslyrestoredtheyoungEutychustolife(cf.Acts

20:712).TheBookofRevelationgivesevidenceofthe

practiceofcallingthefirstdayoftheweek theLords

Day (1:10).Thiswouldnowbeacharacteristic

distinguishingChristiansfromtheworldaroundthem.As

earlyasthebeginningofthesecondcentury,itwasnoted

byPlinytheYounger,governorofBithynia,inhisreport


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ontheChristianpractice ofgatheringtogetheronaset

daybeforesunriseandsingingamongthemselvesahymn

toChristastoagod.(19)AndwhenChristiansspokeof

the LordsDay ,theydidsogivingtothistermthefull

senseoftheEasterproclamation: JesusChristisLord

(Phil2:11;cf.Acts2:36;1Cor12:3).ThusChristwasgiven

thesametitlewhichtheSeptuagintusedtotranslatewhat

intherevelationoftheOldTestamentwastheunutterable

nameofGod:YHWH.

22.InthoseearlyChristiantimes,theweeklyrhythmof

dayswasgenerallynotpartoflifeintheregionswherethe

Gospelspread,andthefestivedaysoftheGreekand

Roman

calendars

did

not

coincide

with

the

Christian

Sunday.ForChristians,therefore,itwasverydifficultto

observetheLordsDayonasetdayeachweek.This

explainswhythefaithfulhadtogatherbeforesunrise.(20)

Yetfidelitytotheweeklyrhythmbecamethenorm,since

itwasbasedupontheNewTestamentandwastiedtoOld

Testamentrevelation.Thisiseagerlyunderscoredbythe

ApologistsandtheFathersoftheChurchintheirwritings

andpreachingwhere,inspeakingofthePaschalMystery,

theyusethesameScripturaltextswhich,accordingtothe


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witnessofSaintLuke(cf.24:27,4447),theRisenChrist

himselfwouldhaveexplainedtothedisciples.Inthelight

ofthesetexts,thecelebrationofthedayofthe

Resurrectionacquiredadoctrinalandsymbolicvalue

capableofexpressingtheentireChristianmysteryinallits

newness.

GrowingdistinctionfromtheSabbath

23.Itwasthisnewnesswhichthecatechesisofthefirst

centuriesstressedasitsoughttoshowtheprominenceof

SundayrelativetotheJewishSabbath.Itwasonthe

SabbaththattheJewishpeoplehadtogatherinthe

synagogue

and

to

rest

in

the

way

prescribed

by

the

Law.

TheApostles,andinparticularSaintPaul,continued

initiallytoattendthesynagoguesothattheretheymight

proclaimJesusChrist,commentingupon thewordsofthe

prophetswhicharereadeverySabbath (Acts13:27).

SomecommunitiesobservedtheSabbathwhilealso

celebratingSunday.Soon,however,thetwodaysbeganto

bedistinguishedevermoreclearly,inreactionchieflyto

theinsistenceofthoseChristianswhoseoriginsinJudaism

madetheminclinedtomaintaintheobligationoftheold


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Law.SaintIgnatiusofAntiochwrites: Ifthosewhowere

livingintheformerstateofthingshavecometoanew

hope,nolongerobservingtheSabbathbutkeepingthe

LordsDay,thedayonwhichourlifehasappeared

throughhimandhisdeath...,thatmysteryfromwhichwe

havereceivedourfaithandinwhichweperseverein

ordertobejudgeddisciplesofChrist,ouronlyMaster,

howcouldwethenlivewithouthim,giventhatthe

prophetstoo,ashisdisciplesintheSpirit,awaitedhimas

master?.(21)SaintAugustinenotesinturn: Thereforethe

Lordtoohasplacedhissealonhisday,whichisthethird

afterthePassion.Intheweeklycycle,however,itisthe

eighthdayaftertheseventh,thatisaftertheSabbath,and

the

first

day

of

the

week

.(22)

The

distinction

of

Sunday

fromtheJewishSabbathgreweverstrongerinthemindof

theChurch,eventhoughtherehavebeentimesinhistory

when,becausetheobligationofSundayrestwasso

emphasized,theLordsDaytendedtobecomemorelike

theSabbath.Moreover,therehavealwaysbeengroups

withinChristianitywhichobserveboththeSabbathand

Sundayas twobrotherdays.(23)

Thedayofthenewcreation


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24.AcomparisonoftheChristianSundaywiththeOld

TestamentvisionoftheSabbathpromptedtheological

insightsofgreatinterest.Inparticular,thereemergedthe

uniqueconnectionbetweentheResurrectionandCreation.

ChristianthoughtspontaneouslylinkedtheResurrection,

whichtookplaceon thefirstdayoftheweek ,withthe

firstdayofthatcosmicweek(cf.Gn1:1 2:4)which

shapesthecreationstoryintheBookofGenesis:thedayof

thecreationoflight(cf.1:35).Thislinkinvitedan

understandingoftheResurrectionasthebeginningofa

newcreation,thefirstfruitsofwhichistheglorious

Christ, thefirstbornofallcreation (Col1:15)and the

first

born

from

the

dead

(Col

1:18).

25.Ineffect,Sundayisthedayaboveallotherdayswhich

summonsChristianstorememberthesalvationwhichwas

giventotheminbaptismandwhichhasmadethemnew

inChrist. Youwereburiedwithhiminbaptism,inwhich

youwerealsoraisedwithhimthroughfaithinthe

workingofGod,whoraisedhimfromthedead (Col2:12;

cf.Rom6:46).Theliturgyunderscoresthisbaptismal

dimensionofSunday,bothincallingforthecelebrationof


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baptismsaswellasattheEasterVigilonthedayof

theweek whentheChurchcommemoratestheLords

Resurrection ,(24)andinsuggestingasanappropriate

penitentialriteatthestartofMassthesprinklingofholy

water,whichrecallsthemomentofBaptisminwhichall

Christianlifeisborn.(25)

Theeighthday:imageofeternity

26.Bycontrast,theSabbathspositionastheseventhday

oftheweeksuggestsfortheLordsDayacomplementary

symbolism,muchlovedbytheFathers.Sundayisnotonly

thefirstday,itisalso theeighthday ,setwithinthe

sevenfold

succession

of

days

in

a

unique

and

transcendent

positionwhichevokesnotonlythebeginningoftimebut

alsoitsendin theagetocome.SaintBasilexplainsthat

Sundaysymbolizesthattrulysingulardaywhichwill

followthepresenttime,thedaywithoutendwhichwill

knowneithereveningnormorning,theimperishableage

whichwillnevergrowold;Sundayistheceaseless

foretellingoflifewithoutendwhichrenewsthehopeof

Christiansandencouragesthemontheirway.(26)Looking

towardsthelastday,whichfulfilscompletelythe


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eschatologicalsymbolismoftheSabbath,SaintAugustine

concludestheConfessionsdescribingtheEschatonas the

peaceofquietness,thepeaceoftheSabbath,apeacewith

noevening.(27)IncelebratingSunday,boththe first and

the eighth day,theChristianisledtowardsthegoalof

eternallife.(28)

ThedayofChristLight

27.ThisChristocentricvisionshedslightuponanother

symbolismwhichChristianreflectionandpastoral

practiceascribedtotheLordsDay.Wisepastoralintuition

suggestedtotheChurchthechristianizationofthenotion

of

Sunday

as

the

day

of

the

sun

,

which

was

the

Roman

nameforthedayandwhichisretainedinsomemodern

languages.(29)Thiswasinordertodrawthefaithfulaway

fromtheseductionofcultswhichworshippedthesun,

andtodirectthecelebrationofthedaytoChrist,

humanitystrue sun.Writingtothepagans,SaintJustin

usesthelanguageofthetimetonotethatChristians

gathertogether onthedaynamedafterthesun ,(30)but

forbelieverstheexpressionhadalreadyassumedanew

meaningwhichwasunmistakeablyrootedinthe


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Gospel.(31)Christisthelightoftheworld(cf.Jn9:5;also

1:45,9),and,intheweeklyreckoningoftime,theday

commemoratinghisResurrectionistheenduring

reflectionoftheepiphanyofhisglory.Thethemeof

SundayasthedayilluminatedbythetriumphoftheRisen

ChristisalsofoundintheLiturgyoftheHours(32)andis

givenspecialemphasisinthePannichida,thevigilwhich

intheEasternliturgiespreparesforSunday.From

generationtogenerationasshegathersonthisday,the

ChurchmakesherownthewondermentofZechariahas

helookeduponChrist,seeinginhimthedawnwhich

gives lighttothosewhositindarknessandinthe

shadowofdeath (Lk1:7879),andsheechoesthejoyof

Simeon

when

he

takes

in

his

arms

the

divine

Child

who

hascomeasthe lighttoenlightentheGentiles (Lk2:32).

ThedayofthegiftoftheSpirit

28.Sunday,thedayoflight,couldalsobecalledthedayof

fire ,inreferencetotheHolySpirit.ThelightofChristis

intimatelylinkedtothe fire oftheSpirit,andthetwo

imagestogetherrevealthemeaningoftheChristian

Sunday.(33)WhenheappearedtotheApostlesonthe


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eveningofEaster,Jesusbreatheduponthemandsaid:

ReceivetheHolySpirit.Ifyouforgivethesinsofany,

theyareforgiven;ifyouretainthesinsofany,theyare

retained (Jn20:2223).TheoutpouringoftheSpiritwas

thegreatgiftoftheRisenLordtohisdisciplesonEaster

Sunday.ItwasagainSundaywhen,fiftydaysafterthe

Resurrection,theSpiritdescendedinpower,as amighty

wind and fire (Acts2:23),upontheApostlesgathered

withMary.Pentecostisnotonlythefoundingeventofthe

Church,butisalsothemysterywhichforevergiveslifeto

theChurch.(34)Suchaneventhasitsownpowerful

liturgicalmomentintheannualcelebrationwhich

concludes thegreatSunday ,(35)butitalsoremainsa

part

of

the

deep

meaning

of

every

Sunday,

because

of

its

intimatebondwiththePaschalMystery.The weekly

Easter thusbecomes,inasense,the weeklyPentecost ,

whenChristiansrelivetheApostlesjoyfulencounterwith

theRisenLordandreceivethelifegivingbreathofhis

Spirit.

Thedayoffaith


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29.Giventhesedifferentdimensionswhichsetitapart,

Sundayappearsasthesupremedayoffaith.Itistheday

when,bythepoweroftheHolySpirit,whoisthe

Churchsliving memory (cf.Jn14:26),thefirst

appearanceoftheRisenLordbecomesaneventrenewed

inthe today ofeachofChristsdisciples.Gatheredinhis

presenceintheSundayassembly,believerssense

themselvescalledliketheApostleThomas: Putyour

fingerhere,andseemyhands.Putoutyourhand,and

placeitinmyside.Doubtnolonger,butbelieve (Jn

20:27).Yes,Sundayisthedayoffaith.Thisisstressedby

thefactthattheSundayEucharisticliturgy,liketheliturgy

ofothersolemnities,includestheProfessionofFaith.

Recited

or

sung,

the

Creed

declares

the

baptismal

and

PaschalcharacterofSunday,makingitthedayonwhich

inaspecialwaythebaptizedrenewtheiradherenceto

ChristandhisGospelinarekindledawarenessoftheir

baptismalpromises.Listeningtothewordandreceiving

theBodyoftheLord,thebaptizedcontemplatetheRisen

Jesuspresentinthe holysigns andconfesswiththe

ApostleThomas: MyLordandmyGod! (Jn20:28).

Anindispensableday!


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30.Itisclearthenwhy,eveninourowndifficulttimes,the

identityofthisdaymustbeprotectedandaboveallmust

belivedinallitsdepth.AnEasternwriterofthebeginning

ofthethirdcenturyrecountsthatasearlyasthenthe

faithfulineveryregionwerekeepingSundayholyona

regularbasis.(36)Whatbeganasaspontaneouspractice

laterbecameajuridicallysanctionednorm.TheLords

DayhasstructuredthehistoryoftheChurchthroughtwo

thousandyears:howcouldwethinkthatitwillnot

continuetoshapeherfuture?Thepressuresoftodaycan

makeithardertofulfiltheSundayobligation;and,witha

motherssensitivity,theChurchlookstothecircumstances

of

each

of

her

children.

In

particular,

she

feels

herself

calledtoanewcatecheticalandpastoralcommitment,in

ordertoensurethat,inthenormalcourseoflife,noneof

herchildrenaredeprivedoftherichoutpouringofgrace

whichthecelebrationoftheLordsDaybrings.Itwasin

thisspiritthattheSecondVaticanCouncil,makinga

pronouncementonthepossibilityofreformingtheChurch

calendartomatchdifferentcivilcalendars,declaredthat

theChurch ispreparedtoacceptonlythosearrangements

whichpreserveaweekofsevendayswithaSunday.(37)


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Givenitsmanymeaningsandaspects,anditslinktothe

veryfoundationsofthefaith,thecelebrationofthe

ChristianSundayremains,onthethresholdoftheThird

Millennium,anindispensableelementofourChristian

identity.

CHAPTERIII

DIESECCLESIAE

The

Eucharistic

Assembly:

HeartofSunday

ThepresenceoftheRisenLord

31. Iamwithyoualways,totheendoftheage (Mt

28:20).ThispromiseofChristneverceasestoresoundin

theChurchasthefertilesecretofherlifeandthe

wellspringofherhope.AsthedayofResurrection,

Sundayisnotonlytheremembranceofapastevent:itisa


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celebrationofthelivingpresenceoftheRisenLordinthe

midstofhisownpeople.

Forthispresencetobeproperlyproclaimedandlived,itis

notenoughthatthedisciplesofChristprayindividually

andcommemoratethedeathandResurrectionofChrist

inwardly,inthesecrecyoftheirhearts.Thosewhohave

receivedthegraceofbaptismarenotsavedasindividuals

alone,butasmembersoftheMysticalBody,having

becomepartofthePeopleofGod.(38)Itisimportant

thereforethattheycometogethertoexpressfullythevery

identityoftheChurch,theekklesia,theassemblycalled

togetherbytheRisenLordwhoofferedhislife toreunite

the

scattered

children

of

God

(Jn

11:52).

They

have

become one inChrist(cf.Gal3:28)throughthegiftofthe

Spirit.ThisunitybecomesvisiblewhenChristiansgather

together:itisthenthattheycometoknowvividlyandto

testifytotheworldthattheyarethepeopleredeemed,

drawn fromeverytribeandlanguageandpeopleand

nation (Rev5:9).TheassemblyofChristsdisciples

embodiesfromagetoagetheimageofthefirstChristian

communitywhichLukegivesasanexampleintheActsof

theApostles,whenherecountsthatthefirstbaptized


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believers devotedthemselvestotheapostles teaching

andfellowship,tothebreakingofbreadandtheprayers

(2:42).

TheEucharisticassembly

32.TheEucharistisnotonlyaparticularlyintense

expressionoftherealityoftheChurchslife,butalsoina

senseits fountainhead.(39)TheEucharistfeedsand

formstheChurch: Becausethereisonebread,wewhoare

manyareonebody,forweallpartakeoftheonebread (1

Cor10:17).Becauseofthisvitallinkwiththesacramentof

theBodyandBloodoftheLord,themysteryofthe

Church

is

savoured,

proclaimed,

and

lived

supremely

in

theEucharist.(40)

ThisecclesialdimensionintrinsictotheEucharistis

realizedineveryEucharisticcelebration.Butitis

expressedmostespeciallyonthedaywhenthewhole

communitycomestogethertocommemoratetheLords

Resurrection.Significantly,theCatechismoftheCatholic

Churchteachesthat theSundaycelebrationoftheLords


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DayandhisEucharistisattheheartoftheChurchs

life.(41)

33.AtSundayMass,Christiansrelivewithparticular

intensitytheexperienceoftheApostlesontheeveningof

EasterwhentheRisenLordappearedtothemasthey

weregatheredtogether(cf.Jn20:19).Inasense,thePeople

ofGodofalltimeswerepresentinthatsmallnucleusof

disciples,thefirstfruitsoftheChurch.Throughtheir

testimony,everygenerationofbelievershearsthegreeting

ofChrist,richwiththemessianicgiftofpeace,wonbyhis

bloodandofferedwithhisSpirit: Peacebewithyou!

Christsreturnamongthem aweeklater (Jn20:26)canbe

seen

as

a

radical

prefiguring

of

the

Christian

community

s

practiceofcomingtogethereverysevendays,on the

LordsDay orSunday,inordertoprofessfaithinhis

Resurrectionandtoreceivetheblessingwhichhehad

promised: Blessedarethosewhohavenotseenandyet

believe (Jn20:29).Thiscloseconnectionbetweenthe

appearanceoftheRisenLordandtheEucharistis

suggestedintheGospelofLukeinthestoryofthetwo

disciplesofEmmaus,whomChristapproachedandledto

understandtheScripturesandthensatwiththemattable.


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Theyrecognizedhimwhenhe tookthebread,saidthe

blessing,brokeitandgaveittothem (24:30).Thegestures

ofJesusinthisaccountarehisgesturesattheLastSupper,

withtheclearallusiontothe breakingofbread ,asthe

EucharistwascalledbythefirstgenerationofChristians.

TheSundayEucharist

34.Itistruethat,initself,theSundayEucharistisno

differentfromtheEucharistcelebratedonotherdays,nor

canitbeseparatedfromliturgicalandsacramentallifeasa

whole.Byitsverynature,theEucharistisanepiphanyof

theChurch;(42)andthisismostpowerfullyexpressed

when

the

diocesan

community

gathers

in

prayer

with

its

Pastor: TheChurchappearswithspecialclaritywhenthe

holyPeopleofGod,allofthem,areactivelyandfully

sharinginthesameliturgicalcelebrationsespecially

whenitisthesameEucharistsharingoneprayeratone

altar,atwhichtheBishopispresiding,surroundedbyhis

presbytersandhisministers.(43)Thisrelationshipwith

theBishopandwiththeentireChurchcommunityis

inherentineveryEucharisticcelebration,evenwhenthe

Bishopdoesnotpreside,regardlessofthedayoftheweek


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onwhichitiscelebrated.ThementionoftheBishopinthe

EucharisticPrayeristheindicationofthis.

Butbecauseofitsspecialsolemnityandtheobligatory

presenceofthecommunity,andbecauseitiscelebrated

onthedaywhenChristconquereddeathandgaveusa

shareinhisimmortallife ,(44)theSundayEucharist

expresseswithgreateremphasisitsinherentecclesial

dimension.ItbecomestheparadigmforotherEucharistic

celebrations.Eachcommunity,gatheringallitsmembers

forthe breakingofthebread ,becomestheplacewhere

themysteryoftheChurchisconcretelymadepresent.In

celebratingtheEucharist,thecommunityopensitselfto

communion

with

the

universal

Church,(45)

imploring

the

Fatherto remembertheChurchthroughouttheworld

andmakehergrowintheunityofallthefaithfulwiththe

PopeandwiththePastorsoftheparticularChurches,until

loveisbroughttoperfection.

ThedayoftheChurch

35.Therefore,thediesDominiisalsothediesEcclesiae.

Thisiswhyonthepastorallevelthecommunityaspectof


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theSundaycelebrationshouldbeparticularlystressed.As

Ihavenotedelsewhere,amongthemanyactivitiesofa

parish, noneisasvitalorascommunityformingasthe

SundaycelebrationoftheLordsDayandhis

Eucharist.(46)Mindfulofthis,theSecondVatican

Councilrecalledthateffortsmustbemadetoensurethat

thereis withintheparish,alivelysenseofcommunity,in

thefirstplacethroughthecommunitycelebrationof

SundayMass.(47)Subsequentliturgicaldirectivesmade

thesamepoint,askingthatonSundaysandholydaysthe

Eucharisticcelebrationsheldnormallyinotherchurches

andchapelsbecoordinatedwiththecelebrationinthe

parishchurch,inorder tofosterthesenseoftheChurch

community,

which

is

nourished

and

expressed

in

a

particularwaybythecommunitycelebrationonSunday,

whetheraroundtheBishop,especiallyintheCathedral,or

intheparishassembly,inwhichthepastorrepresentsthe

Bishop.(48)

36.TheSundayassemblyistheprivilegedplaceofunity:it

isthesettingforthecelebrationofthesacramentum

unitatiswhichprofoundlymarkstheChurchasapeople

gathered by and in theunityoftheFather,oftheSon


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distinguishthem.ThisiswhyonSunday,thedayof

gathering,smallgroupMassesarenottobeencouraged:it

isnotonlyaquestionofensuringthatparishassemblies

arenotwithoutthenecessaryministryofpriests,butalso

ofensuringthatthelifeandunityoftheChurch

communityarefullysafeguardedandpromoted.(54)

Authorizationofpossibleandclearlyrestrictedexceptions

tothisgeneralguidelinewilldependuponthewise

discernmentofthePastorsoftheparticularChurches,in

viewofspecialneedsintheareaofformationandpastoral

care,andkeepinginmindthegoodofindividualsor

groupsespeciallythebenefitswhichsuchexceptions

maybringtotheentireChristiancommunity.

Apilgrimpeople

37.AstheChurchjourneysthroughtime,thereferenceto

ChristsResurrectionandtheweeklyrecurrenceofthis

solemnmemorialhelptoremindusofthepilgrimand

eschatologicalcharacterofthePeopleofGod.Sunday

afterSundaytheChurchmovestowardsthefinal Lords

Day ,thatSundaywhichknowsnoend.Theexpectation

ofChristscomingisinscribedintheverymysteryofthe


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Church(55)andisevidencedineveryEucharistic

celebration.But,withitsspecificremembranceoftheglory

oftheRisenChrist,theLordsDayrecallswithgreater

intensitythefuturegloryofhis return.Thismakes

SundaythedayonwhichtheChurch,showingforthmore

clearlyheridentityas Bride ,anticipatesinsomesense

theeschatologicalrealityoftheheavenlyJerusalem.

GatheringherchildrenintotheEucharisticassemblyand

teachingthemtowaitforthe divineBridegroom ,she

engagesinakindof exerciseofdesire ,(56)receivinga

foretasteofthejoyofthenewheavensandnewearth,

whentheholycity,thenewJerusalem,willcomedown

fromGod, preparedasabrideadornedforherhusband

(Rev

21:2).

Thedayofhope

38.Viewedinthisway,Sundayisnotonlythedayof

faith,butisalsothedayofChristianhope.Tosharein the

LordsSupper istoanticipatetheeschatologicalfeastof

the marriageoftheLamb (Rev19:9).Celebratingthis

memorialofChrist,risenandascendedintoheaven,the

Christiancommunitywaits injoyfulhopeforthecoming


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ofourSaviour,JesusChrist.(57)Renewedandnourished

bythisintenseweeklyrhythm,Christianhopebecomes

theleavenandthelightofhumanhope.Thisiswhythe

PrayeroftheFaithfulrespondsnotonlytotheneedsof

theparticularChristiancommunitybutalsotothoseofall

humanity;andtheChurch,comingtogetherforthe

Eucharisticcelebration,showstotheworldthatshemakes

herown thejoysandhopes,thesorrowsandanxietiesof

peopletoday,especiallyofthepoorandallthosewho

suffer.(58)WiththeofferingoftheSundayEucharist,the

Churchcrownsthewitnesswhichherchildrenstriveto

offereverydayoftheweekbyproclaimingtheGospel

andpractisingcharityintheworldofworkandinallthe

many

tasks

of

life;

thus

she

shows

forth

more

plainly

her

identity asasacrament,orsignandinstrumentof

intimateunionwithGodandoftheunityoftheentire

humanrace.(59)

Thetableoftheword

39.AsineveryEucharisticcelebration,theRisenLordis

encounteredintheSundayassemblyatthetwofoldtable

ofthewordandoftheBreadofLife.Thetableoftheword


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offersthesameunderstandingofthehistoryofsalvation

andespeciallyofthePaschalMysterywhichtheRisen

Jesushimselfgavetohisdisciples:itisChristwhospeaks,

presentasheisinhisword whenSacredScriptureisread

intheChurch.(60)AtthetableoftheBreadofLife,the

RisenLordbecomesreally,substantiallyandenduringly

presentthroughthememorialofhisPassionand

Resurrection,andtheBreadofLifeisofferedasapledge

offutureglory.TheSecondVaticanCouncilrecalledthat

theLiturgyoftheWordandtheLiturgyoftheEucharist

aresocloselyjoinedtogetherthattheyformasingleactof

worship.(61)TheCouncilalsourgedthat thetableofthe

wordofGodbemorelavishlypreparedforthefaithful,

opening

to

them

more

abundantly

the

treasures

of

the

Bible.(62)Itthendecreedthat,inMassesofSundayand

holydaysofobligation,thehomilyshouldnotbeomitted

exceptforseriousreasons.(63)Thesetimelydecreeswere

faithfullyembodiedintheliturgicalreform,aboutwhich

PaulVIwrote,commentinguponthericherofferingof

biblicalreadingsonSundayandholydays: Allthishas

beendecreedsoastofostermoreandmoreinthefaithful

thathungerforhearingthewordoftheLord (Am8:11)

which,undertheguidanceoftheHolySpirit,spursthe


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PeopleoftheNewCovenantontowardstheperfectunity

oftheChurch.(64)

40.InconsideringtheSundayEucharistmorethanthirty

yearsaftertheCouncil,weneedtoassesshowwellthe

wordofGodisbeingproclaimedandhoweffectivelythe

PeopleofGodhavegrowninknowledgeandloveof

SacredScripture.(65)Therearetwoaspectsofthisthat

ofcelebrationandthatofpersonalappropriationand

theyareverycloselyrelated.Atthelevelofcelebration,

thefactthattheCouncilmadeitpossibletoproclaimthe

wordofGodinthelanguageofthecommunitytaking

partinthecelebrationmustawakenanewsenseof

responsibility

towards

the

word,

allowing

the

distinctive

characterofthesacredtext toshineforth eveninthe

modeofreadingorsinging.(66)Atthelevelofpersonal

appropriation,thehearingofthewordofGodproclaimed

mustbewellpreparedinthesoulsofthefaithfulbyanapt

knowledgeofScriptureand,wherepastorallypossible,by

specialinitiativesdesignedtodeepenunderstandingof

thebiblicalreadings,particularlythoseusedonSundays

andholydays.IfChristianindividualsandfamiliesare

notregularlydrawingnewlifefromthereadingofthe


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sacredtextinaspiritofprayeranddocilitytothe

Churchsinterpretation,(67)thenitisdifficultforthe

liturgicalproclamationofthewordofGodaloneto

producethefruitwemightexpect.Thisisthevalueof

initiativesinparishcommunitieswhichbringtogether

duringtheweekthosewhotakepartintheEucharist

priest,ministersandfaithful(68)inordertopreparethe

Sundayliturgy,reflectingbeforehanduponthewordof

Godwhichwillbeproclaimed.Theobjectivesoughthere

isthattheentirecelebrationpraying,singing,listening,

andnotjustthepreachingshouldexpressinsomeway

thethemeoftheSundayliturgy,sothatallthosetaking

partmaybepenetratedmorepowerfullybyit.Clearly,

much

depends

on

those

who

exercise

the

ministry

of

the

word.Itistheirdutytopreparethereflectionontheword

oftheLordbyprayerandstudyofthesacredtext,sothat

theymaythenexpressitscontentsfaithfullyandapply

themtopeoplesconcernsandtotheirdailylives.

41.Itshouldalsobeborneinmindthattheliturgical

proclamationofthewordofGod,especiallyinthe

Eucharisticassembly,isnotsomuchatimeformeditation

andcatechesisasadialoguebetweenGodandhisPeople,


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adialogueinwhichthewondersofsalvationare

proclaimedandthedemandsoftheCovenantare

continuallyrestated.Ontheirpart,thePeopleofGodare

drawntorespondtothisdialogueoflovebygivingthanks

andpraise,alsobydemonstratingtheirfidelitytothetask

ofcontinual conversion.TheSundayassemblycommits

usthereforetoaninnerrenewalofourbaptismal

promises,whichareinasenseimplicitintherecitationof

theCreed,andareanexplicitpartoftheliturgyofthe

EasterVigilandwheneverBaptismiscelebratedduring

Mass.Inthiscontext,theproclamationofthewordinthe

SundayEucharisticcelebrationtakesonthesolemntone

foundintheOldTestamentatmomentswhenthe

Covenant

was

renewed,

when

the

Law

was

proclaimed

andthecommunityofIsraelwascalledlikethePeople

inthedesertatthefootofSinai(cf.Ex19:78;24:3,7)to

repeatsits yes ,renewingitsdecisiontobefaithfulto

Godandtoobeyhiscommandments.Inspeakinghis

word,Godawaitsourresponse:aresponsewhichChrist

hasalreadymadeforuswithhis Amen (cf.2Cor1:20

22),andwhichechoesinusthroughtheHolySpiritsothat

whatwehearmayinvolveusatthedeepestlevel.(69)


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ThetableoftheBodyofChrist

42.Thetableofthewordleadsnaturallytothetableofthe

EucharisticBreadandpreparesthecommunitytoliveits

manyaspects,whichintheSundayEucharistassumean

especiallysolemncharacter.Asthewholecommunity

gatherstocelebrate theLordsDay ,theEucharist

appearsmoreclearlythanonotherdaysasthegreat

thanksgiving inwhichtheSpiritfilledChurchturnsto

theFather,becomingonewithChristandspeakinginthe

nameofallhumanity.Therhythmoftheweekpromptsus

togatherupingratefulmemorytheeventsofthedays

whichhavejustpassed,toreviewtheminthelightofGod

and

to

thank

him

for

his

countless

gifts,

glorifying

him

throughChrist,withChristandinChrist,intheunityof

theHolySpirit.TheChristiancommunitythuscomestoa

renewedawarenessofthefactthatallthingswerecreated

throughChrist(cf.Col1:16;Jn1:3),andthatinChrist,who

cameintheformofaslavetotakeonandredeemour

humancondition,allthingshavebeenrestored(cf.Eph

1:10),inordertobehandedovertoGodtheFather,from

whomallthingscometobeanddrawtheirlife.Then,

givingassenttotheEucharisticdoxologywiththeir


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Amen ,thePeopleofGodlookinfaithandhopetowards

theeschatologicalend,whenChrist willdeliverthe

kingdomtoGodtheFather...sothatGodmaybe

everythingtoeveryone (1Cor15:24,28).

43.This ascendingmovementisinherentinevery

Eucharisticcelebrationandmakesitajoyousevent,

overflowingwithgratitudeandhope.Butitemerges

particularlyatSundayMassbecauseofitsspeciallink

withthecommemorationoftheResurrection.Bycontrast,

this Eucharistic rejoicingwhich liftsupourhearts is

thefruitofGods descendingmovementtowardsus,

whichremainsforeveretchedintheessentialsacrificial

element

of

the

Eucharist,

the

supreme

expression

and

celebrationofthemysteryofthekenosis,thedescentby

whichChrist humbledhimself,andbecameobedient

untodeath,evendeathonaCross (Phil2:8).

TheMassinfacttrulymakespresentthesacrificeofthe

Cross.Underthespeciesofbreadandwine,uponwhich

hasbeeninvokedtheoutpouringoftheSpiritwhoworks

withabsolutelyuniquepowerinthewordsof

consecration,ChristoffershimselftotheFatherinthe


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sameactofsacrificebywhichheofferedhimselfonthe

Cross. Inthisdivinesacrificewhichisaccomplishedin

theMass,thesameChristwhoofferedhimselfonceand

forallinabloodymanneronthealtaroftheCrossis

containedandisofferedinanunbloodymanner.(70)To

hissacrificeChristunitesthesacrificeoftheChurch: In

theEucharistthesacrificeofChristbecomesalsothe

sacrificeofthemembersofhisBody.Thelivesofthe

faithful,theirpraise,sufferings,prayerandwork,are

unitedwiththoseofChristandwithhistotaloffering,and

soacquireanewvalue.(71)Thetruththatthewhole

communitysharesinChristssacrificeisespeciallyevident

intheSundaygathering,whichmakesitpossibletobring

to

the

altar

the

week

that

has

passed,

with

all

its

human

burdens.

Easterbanquetandfraternalgathering

44.ThecommunalcharacteroftheEucharistemergesina

specialwaywhenitisseenastheEasterbanquet,inwhich

Christhimselfbecomesournourishment.Infact, forthis

purposeChristentrustedtotheChurchthissacrifice:so

thatthefaithfulmightshareinit,bothspiritually,infaith


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andcharity,andsacramentally,inthebanquetofHoly

Communion.SharingintheLordsSupperisalways

communionwithChrist,whooffershimselfforusin

sacrificetotheFather.(72)ThisiswhytheChurch

recommendsthatthefaithfulreceivecommunionwhen

theytakepartintheEucharist,providedthattheyare

properlydisposedand,ifawareofgravesin,have

receivedGodspardonintheSacramentof

Reconciliation,(73)inthespiritofwhatSaintPaulwritesto

thecommunityatCorinth(cf.1Cor11:2732).Obviously,

theinvitationtoEucharisticcommunionismoreinsistent

inthecaseofMassonSundaysandholydays.

It

is

also

important

to

be

ever

mindful

that

communion

withChristisdeeplytiedtocommunionwithourbrothers

andsisters.TheSundayEucharisticgatheringisan

experienceofbrotherhood,whichthecelebrationshould

demonstrateclearly,whileeverrespectingthenatureof

theliturgicalaction.Allthiswillbehelpedbygesturesof

welcomeandbythetoneofprayer,alerttotheneedsofall

inthecommunity.ThesignofpeaceintheRomanRite

significantlyplacedbeforeEucharisticcommunionisa

particularlyexpressivegesturewhichthefaithfulare


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invitedtomakeasamanifestationofthePeopleofGods

acceptanceofallthathasbeenaccomplishedinthe

celebration(74)andofthecommitmenttomutuallove

whichismadeinsharingtheonebread,withthe

demandingwordsofChristinmind: Ifyouareoffering

yourgiftatthealtar,andthererememberthatyour

brotherhassomethingagainstyou,leaveyourgiftthere

beforethealtarandgo;firstbereconciledwithyour

brother,andthencomeandofferyourgift (Mt5:2324).

FromMassto mission

45.ReceivingtheBreadofLife,thedisciplesofChrist

ready

themselves

to

undertake

with

the

strength

of

the

RisenLordandhisSpiritthetaskswhichawaitthemin

theirordinarylife.Forthefaithfulwhohaveunderstood

themeaningofwhattheyhavedone,theEucharistic

celebrationdoesnotstopatthechurchdoor.Likethefirst

witnessesoftheResurrection,Christianswhogathereach

Sundaytoexperienceandproclaimthepresenceofthe

RisenLordarecalledtoevangelizeandbearwitnessin

theirdailylives.Giventhis,thePrayerafterCommunion

andtheConcludingRitetheFinalBlessingandthe


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Dismissalneedtobebettervaluedandappreciated,so

thatallwhohavesharedintheEucharistmaycometoa

deepersenseoftheresponsibilitywhichisentrustedto

them.Oncetheassemblydisperses,Christsdisciples

returntotheireverydaysurroundingswiththe

commitmenttomaketheirwholelifeagift,aspiritual

sacrificepleasingtoGod(cf.Rom12:1).Theyfeelindebted

totheirbrothersandsistersbecauseofwhattheyhave

receivedinthecelebration,notunlikethedisciplesof

Emmauswho,oncetheyhadrecognizedtheRisenChrist

inthebreakingofthebread (cf.Lk24:3032),feltthe

needtoreturnimmediatelytosharewiththeirbrothers

andsistersthejoyofmeetingtheLord(cf.Lk24:3335).

TheSundayobligation

46.SincetheEucharististheveryheartofSunday,itis

clearwhy,fromtheearliestcenturies,thePastorsofthe

Churchhavenotceasedtoremindthefaithfuloftheneed

totakepartintheliturgicalassembly. Leaveeverything

ontheLordsDay ,urgesthethirdcenturytextknownas

theDidascalia, andrundiligentlytoyourassembly,

becauseitisyourpraiseofGod.Otherwise,whatexcuse


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willtheymaketoGod,thosewhodonotcometogetheron

theLordsDaytohearthewordoflifeandfeedonthe

divinenourishmentwhichlastsforever?.(75)Thefaithful

havegenerallyacceptedthiscallofthePastorswith

convictionofsouland,althoughtherehavebeentimes

andsituationswhenthisdutyhasnotbeenperfectlymet,

oneshouldneverforgetthegenuineheroismofpriests

andfaithfulwhohavefulfilledthisobligationevenwhen

facedwithdangerandthedenialofreligiousfreedom,as

canbedocumentedfromthefirstcenturiesofChristianity

uptoourowntime.

InhisfirstApologyaddressedtotheEmperorAntoninus

and

the

Senate,

Saint

Justin

proudly

described

the

ChristianpracticeoftheSundayassembly,whichgathered

inoneplaceChristiansfromboththecityandthe

countryside.(76)When,duringthepersecutionof

Diocletian,theirassemblieswerebannedwiththegreatest

severity,manywerecourageousenoughtodefythe

imperialdecreeandaccepteddeathratherthanmissthe

SundayEucharist.Thiswasthecaseofthemartyrsof

Abitina,inProconsularAfrica,whorepliedtotheir

accusers: Withoutfearofanykindwehavecelebratedthe


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LordsSupper,becauseitcannotbemissed;thatisour

law; WecannotlivewithouttheLordsSupper.Asshe

confessedherfaith,oneofthemartyrssaid: Yes,Iwentto

theassemblyandIcelebratedtheLordsSupperwithmy

brothersandsisters,becauseIamaChristian.(77)

47.Evenifintheearliesttimesitwasnotjudgednecessary

tobeprescriptive,theChurchhasnotceasedtoconfirm

thisobligationofconscience,whichrisesfromtheinner

needfeltsostronglybytheChristiansofthefirst

centuries.Itwasonlylater,facedwiththehalf

heartednessornegligenceofsome,thattheChurchhadto

makeexplicitthedutytoattendSundayMass:moreoften

than

not,

this

was

done

in

the

form

of

exhortation,

but

at

timestheChurchhadtoresorttospecificcanonical

precepts.ThiswasthecaseinanumberoflocalCouncils

fromthefourthcenturyonwards(asattheCouncilof

Elviraof300,whichspeaksnotofanobligationbutof

penaltiesafterthreeabsences)(78)andmostespecially

fromthesixthcenturyonwards(asattheCouncilofAgde

in506).(79)ThesedecreesoflocalCouncilsledtoa

universalpractice,theobligatorycharacterofwhichwas

takenassomethingquitenormal.(80)


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TheCodeofCanonLawof1917forthefirsttimegathered

thistraditionintoauniversallaw.(81)ThepresentCode

reiteratesthis,sayingthat onSundaysandotherholy

daysofobligationthefaithfulareboundtoattend

Mass.(82)Thislegislationhasnormallybeenunderstood

asentailingagraveobligation:thisistheteachingofthe

CatechismoftheCatholicChurch,(83)anditiseasyto

understandwhyifwekeepinmindhowvitalSundayis

fortheChristianlife.

48.Today,asintheheroictimesofthebeginning,many

whowishtoliveinaccordwiththedemandsoftheirfaith

are

being

faced

with

difficult

situations

in

various

parts

of

theworld.Theyliveinsurroundingswhicharesometimes

decidedlyhostileandatothertimesmorefrequentlyin

factindifferentandunresponsivetotheGospel

message.Ifbelieversarenottobeoverwhelmed,they

mustbeabletocountonthesupportoftheChristian

community.Thisiswhytheymustbeconvincedthatitis

cruciallyimportantforthelifeoffaiththattheyshould

cometogetherwithothersonSundaystocelebratethe

PassoveroftheLordinthesacramentoftheNew


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Covenant.ItisthespecialresponsibilityoftheBishops,

therefore, toensurethatSundayisappreciatedbyallthe

faithful,keptholyandcelebratedastruly theLordsDay,

onwhichtheChurchcomestogethertorenewthe

remembranceoftheEastermysteryinhearingthewordof

God,inofferingthesacrificeoftheLord,inkeepingthe

dayholybymeansofprayer,worksofcharityand

abstentionfromwork.(84)

49.BecausethefaithfulareobligedtoattendMassunless

thereisagraveimpediment,Pastorshavethe

correspondingdutytooffertoeveryonethereal

possibilityoffulfillingtheprecept.Theprovisionsof

Church

law

move

in

this

direction,

as

for

example

in

the

facultygrantedtopriests,withthepriorauthorizationof

thediocesanBishop,tocelebratemorethanoneMasson

Sundaysandholydays,(85)theinstitutionofevening

Masses(86)andtheprovisionwhichallowstheobligation

tobefulfilledfromSaturdayeveningonwards,startingat

thetimeofFirstVespersofSunday.(87)Fromaliturgical

pointofview,infact,holydaysbeginwithFirst

Vespers.(88)Consequently,theliturgyofwhatis

sometimescalledthe VigilMass isineffectthe festive


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MassofSunday,atwhichthecelebrantisrequiredto

preachthehomilyandrecitethePrayeroftheFaithful.

Moreover,Pastorsshouldremindthefaithfulthatwhen

theyareawayfromhomeonSundaystheyaretotakecare

toattendMasswherevertheymaybe,enrichingthelocal

communitywiththeirpersonalwitness.Atthesametime,

thesecommunitiesshouldshowawarmsenseofwelcome

tovisitingbrothersandsisters,especiallyinplaceswhich

attractmanytouristsandpilgrims,forwhomitwilloften

benecessarytoprovidespecialreligiousassistance.(89)

Ajoyfulcelebrationinsong

50.GiventhenatureofSundayMassanditsimportancein

thelivesofthefaithful,itmustbepreparedwithspecial

care.Inwaysdictatedbypastoralexperienceandlocal

custominkeepingwithliturgicalnorms,effortsmustbe

madetoensurethatthecelebrationhasthefestive

characterappropriatetothedaycommemoratingthe

LordsResurrection.Tothisend,itisimportanttodevote

attentiontothesongsusedbytheassembly,sincesinging

isaparticularlyaptwaytoexpressajoyfulheart,


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accentuatingthesolemnityofthecelebrationandfostering

thesenseofacommonfaithandasharedlove.Caremust

betakentoensurethequality,bothofthetextsandofthe

melodies,sothatwhatisproposedtodayasnewand

creativewillconformtoliturgicalrequirementsandbe

worthyoftheChurchstraditionwhich,inthefieldof

sacredmusic,boastsapricelessheritage.

Acelebrationinvolvingall

51.Thereisaneedtootoensurethatallthosepresent,

childrenandadults,takeanactiveinterest,by

encouragingtheirinvolvementatthosepointswherethe

liturgy

suggests

and

recommends

it.(90)

Of

course,

it

falls

onlytothosewhoexercisethepriestlyministrytoeffect

theEucharisticSacrificeandtoofferittoGodinthename

ofthewholepeople.(91)Thisisthebasisofthedistinction,

whichismuchmorethanamatterofdiscipline,between

thetaskpropertothecelebrantandthatwhichbelongsto

deaconsandthenonordainedfaithful.(92)Yetthefaithful

mustrealizethat,becauseofthecommonpriesthood

receivedinBaptism, theyparticipateintheofferingofthe

Eucharist.(93)Althoughthereisadistinctionofroles,


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theystill offertoGodthedivinevictimandthemselves

withhim.Offeringthesacrificeandreceivingholy

communion,theytakepartactivelyintheliturgy ,(94)

findinginitlightandstrengthtolivetheirbaptismal

priesthoodandthewitnessofaholylife.

OthermomentsoftheChristianSunday

52.SharingintheEucharististheheartofSunday,butthe

dutytokeepSundayholycannotbereducedtothis.In

fact,theLordsDayislivedwellifitismarkedfrom

beginningtoendbygratefulandactiveremembranceof

Godssavingwork.ThiscommitseachofChristsdisciples

to

shape

the

other

moments

of

the

day

those

outside

theliturgicalcontext:familylife,socialrelationships,

momentsofrelaxationinsuchawaythatthepeaceand

joyoftheRisenLordwillemergeintheordinaryeventsof

life.Forexample,therelaxedgatheringofparentsand

childrencanbeanopportunitynotonlytolistentoone

anotherbutalsotoshareafewformativeandmore

reflectivemoments.Eveninlaylife,whenpossible,why

notmakeprovisionforspecialtimesofprayer

especiallythesolemncelebrationofVespers,forexample


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ormomentsofcatechesis,whichontheeveofSunday

oronSundayafternoonmightpreparefororcompletethe

giftoftheEucharistinpeopleshearts?

ThisrathertraditionalwayofkeepingSundayholyhas

perhapsbecomemoredifficultformanypeople;butthe

ChurchshowsherfaithinthestrengthoftheRisenLord

andthepoweroftheHolySpiritbymakingitknownthat,

todaymorethanever,sheisunwillingtosettlefor

minimalismandmediocrityattheleveloffaith.Shewants

tohelpChristianstodowhatismostcorrectandpleasing

totheLord.Anddespitethedifficulties,therearepositive

andencouragingsigns.InmanypartsoftheChurch,a

new

need

for

prayer

in

its

many

forms

is

being

felt;

and

thisisagiftoftheHolySpirit.Thereisalsoarediscovery

ofancientreligiouspractices,suchaspilgrimages;and

oftenthefaithfultakeadvantageofSundayresttovisita

Shrinewhere,withthewholefamilyperhaps,theycan

spendtimeinamoreintenseexperienceoffaith.Theseare

momentsofgracewhichmustbefosteredthrough

evangelizationandguidedbygenuinepastoralwisdom.

Sundayassemblieswithoutapriest


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53.Thereremainstheproblemofparisheswhichdonot

havetheministryofapriestforthecelebrationofthe

SundayEucharist.Thisisoftenthecaseinyoung

Churches,whereonepriesthaspastoralresponsibilityfor

faithfulscatteredoveravastarea.However,emergency

situationscanalsoariseincountriesoflongstanding

Christiantradition,wherediminishingnumbersofclergy

makeitimpossibletoguaranteethepresenceofapriestin

everyparishcommunity.InsituationswheretheEucharist

cannotbecelebrated,theChurchrecommendsthatthe

Sundayassemblycometogetherevenwithoutapriest,(95)

inkeepingwiththeindicationsanddirectivesoftheHoly

See

which

have

been

entrusted

to

the

Episcopal

Conferencesforimplementation.(96)Yettheobjective

mustalwaysremainthecelebrationoftheSacrificeofthe

Mass,theonewayinwhichthePassoveroftheLord

becomestrulypresent,theonlyfullrealizationofthe

Eucharisticassemblyoverwhichthepriestpresidesin

personaChristi,breakingthebreadofthewordandthe

Eucharist.Atthepastorallevel,therefore,everythinghas

tobedonetoensurethattheSacrificeoftheMassismade

availableasoftenaspossibletothefaithfulwhoare


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regularlydeprivedofit,eitherbyarrangingthepresence

ofapriestfromtimetotime,orbytakingevery

opportunitytoorganizeagatheringinacentrallocation

accessibletoscatteredgroups.

Radioandtelevision

54.Finally,thefaithfulwho,becauseofsickness,disability

orsomeotherseriouscause,arepreventedfromtaking

part,shouldasbesttheycanunitethemselveswiththe

celebrationofSundayMassfromafar,preferablyby

meansofthereadingsandprayersforthatdayfromthe

Missal,aswellasthroughtheirdesireforthe

Eucharist.(97)

In

many

countries,

radio

and

television

makeitpossibletojoinintheEucharisticcelebration

broadcastfromsomesacredplace.(98)Clearly,thiskindof

broadcastdoesnotinitselffulfiltheSundayobligation,

whichrequiresparticipationinthefraternalassembly

gatheredinoneplace,whereEucharisticcommunioncan

bereceived.Butforthosewhocannottakepartinthe

Eucharistandwhoarethereforeexcusedfromthe

obligation,radioandtelevisionareaprecioushelp,

especiallyifaccompaniedbythegenerousserviceof


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extraordinaryministerswhobringtheEucharisttothe

sick,alsobringingthemthegreetingandsolidarityofthe

wholecommunity.SundayMassthusproducesrichfruits

fortheseChristianstoo,andtheyaretrulyenabledto

experienceSundayas theLordsDay and theChurchs

day.

CHAPTERIV

DIESHOMINIS

Sunday:DayofJoy,RestandSolidarity

The fulljoy ofChrist

55. BlessedbehewhohasraisedthegreatdayofSunday

aboveallotherdays.Theheavensandtheearth,angels

andofmengivethemselvesovertojoy.(99)Thiscryof

theMaroniteliturgycaptureswelltheintense

acclamationsofjoywhichhavealwayscharacterized


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SundayintheliturgyofbothEastandWest.Moreover,

historicallyevenbeforeitwasseenasadayofrest,

whichinanycasewasnotprovidedforinthecivil

calendarChristianscelebratedtheweeklydayofthe

RisenLordprimarilyasadayofjoy. Onthefirstdayof

theweek,youshallallrejoice ,urgestheDidascalia.(100)

Thiswasalsoemphasizedbyliturgicalpractice,through

thechoiceofappropriategestures.(101)Voicingan

awarenesswidespreadintheChurch,SaintAugustine

describesthejoyoftheweeklyEaster: Fasting,issetaside

andprayersaresaidstanding,asasignofthe

Resurrection,whichisalsowhytheAlleluiaissungon

everySunday.(102)

56.Beyondparticularritualforms,whichcanvaryintime

dependinguponChurchdiscipline,thereremainsthefact

thatSunday,asaweeklyechoofthefirstencounterwith

theRisenLord,isunfailinglymarkedbythejoywith

whichthedisciplesgreetedtheMaster: Thedisciples

rejoicedtoseetheLord (Jn20:20).Thiswasthe

confirmationofthewordswhichJesusspokebeforethe

PassionandwhichresoundineveryChristiangeneration:

Youwillbesorrowful,butyoursorrowwillturntojoy


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(Jn16:20).Hadnothehimselfprayedforthis,thatthe

discipleswouldhave thefullnessofhisjoy (cf.Jn17:13)?

ThefestivecharacteroftheSundayEucharistexpresses

thejoythatChristcommunicatestohisChurchthrough

thegiftoftheSpirit.Joyispreciselyoneofthefruitsofthe

HolySpirit(cf.Rom14:17;Gal5:22).

57.Therefore,ifwewishtorediscoverthefullmeaningof

Sunday,wemustrediscoverthisaspectofthelifeoffaith.

Certainly,Christianjoymustmarkthewholeoflife,and

notjustonedayoftheweek.Butinvirtueofits

significanceasthedayoftheRisenLord,celebrating

Godsworkofcreationand newcreation ,Sundayisthe

day

of

joy

in

a

very

special

way,

indeed

the

day

most

suitableforlearninghowtorejoiceandtorediscoverthe

truenatureanddeeprootsofjoy.Thisjoyshouldneverbe

confusedwithshallowfeelingsofsatisfactionand

pleasure,whichinebriatethesensesandemotionsfora

briefmoment,butthenleavetheheartunfulfilledand

perhapsevenembittered.IntheChristianview,joyis

muchmoreenduringandconsoling;asthesaintsattest,it

canholdfirmeveninthedarknightofsuffering.(103)It

is,inacertainsense,a virtue tobenurtured.


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58.YetthereisnoconflictwhateverbetweenChristianjoy

andtruehumanjoys,whichinfactareexaltedandfind

theirultimatefoundationpreciselyinthejoyofthe

glorifiedChrist,theperfectimageandrevelationofman

asGodintended.AsmyreveredpredecessorPaulVI

wroteinhisExhortationonChristianjoy: Inessence,

Christianjoyisasharingintheunfathomablejoy,atonce

divineandhuman,foundintheheartoftheglorified

Christ.(104)PopePaulconcludedhisExhortationby

askingthat,ontheLordsDay,theChurchshouldwitness

powerfullytothejoyexperiencedbytheApostleswhen

theysawtheLordontheeveningofEaster.Tothisend,he

urged

pastors

to

insist

upon

the

need

for

the

baptized

to

celebratetheSundayEucharistinjoy.Howcouldthey

neglectthisencounter,thisbanquetwhichChristprepares

forusinhislove?Mayoursharinginitbemostworthy

andjoyful!ItisChrist,crucifiedandglorified,whocomes

amonghisdisciples,toleadthemalltogetherintothe

newnessofhisResurrection.Thisistheclimax,here

below,ofthecovenantoflovebetweenGodandhis

people:thesignandsourceofChristianjoy,astageonthe

waytotheeternalfeast.(105)Thisvisionoffaithshows


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theChristianSundaytobeatrue timeforcelebration ,a

daygivenbyGodtomenandwomenfortheirfullhuman

andspiritualgrowth.

ThefulfilmentoftheSabbath

59.ThisaspectoftheChristianSundayshowsinaspecial

wayhowitisthefulfilmentoftheOldTestamentSabbath.

OntheLordsDay,whichaswehavealreadysaid

theOldTestamentlinkstotheworkofcreation(cf.Gn2:1

3;Ex20:811)andtheExodus(cf.Dt5:1215),theChristian

iscalledtoproclaimthenewcreationandthenew

covenantbroughtaboutinthePaschalMysteryofChrist.

Far

from

being

abolished,

the

celebration

of

creation

becomesmoreprofoundwithinaChristocentric

perspective,beingseeninthelightoftheGodsplan to

uniteallthingsin[Christ],thingsinheavenandthingson

earth (Eph1:10).Theremembranceoftheliberationofthe

Exodusalsoassumesitsfullmeaningasitbecomesa

remembranceoftheuniversalredemptionaccomplished

byChristinhisDeathandResurrection.Morethana

replacement fortheSabbath,therefore,Sundayisits

fulfilment,andinacertainsenseitsextensionandfull


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expressionintheorderedunfoldingofthehistoryof

salvation,whichreachesitsculminationinChrist.

60.Inthisperspective,thebiblicaltheologyofthe

Sabbath canberecoveredinfull,withoutcompromising

theChristiancharacterofSunday.Itisatheologywhich

leadsuseveranewandinunfailingawetothemysteryof

thebeginning,whentheeternalWordofGod,byafree

decisionoflove,createdtheworldfromnothing.The

workofcreationwassealedbytheblessingand

consecrationofthedayonwhichGodceased fromallthe

workwhichhehaddoneincreation (Gn2:3).Thisdayof

Godsrestconfersmeaningupontime,whichinthe

sequence

of

weeks

assumes

not

only

a

chronological

regularitybutalso,inamannerofspeaking,atheological

resonance.Theconstantreturnofthe shabbat ensures

thatthereisnoriskoftimebeingclosedinuponitself,

since,inwelcomingGodandhiskairoithemomentsof

hisgraceandhissavingactstimeremainsopento

eternity.

61.AstheseventhdayblessedandconsecratedbyGod,

the shabbat concludesthewholeworkofcreation,andis


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thereforeimmediatelylinkedtotheworkofthesixthday

whenGodmademan inhisimageandlikeness (cf.Gn

1:26).Thisverycloseconnectionbetweenthe dayofGod

andthe dayofman didnotescapetheFathersintheir

meditationonthebiblicalcreationstory.SaintAmbrose

saysinthisregard: Thanks,then,totheLordourGod

whoaccomplishedaworkinwhichhemightfindrest.He

madetheheavens,butIdonotreadthathefoundrest

there;hemadethestars,themoon,thesun,andneitherdo

Ireadthathefoundrestinthem.Ireadinsteadthathe

mademanandthatthenherested,findinginmanoneto

whomhecouldoffertheforgivenessofsins.(106)Thus

therewillbeforeveradirectlinkbetweenthe dayof

God

and

the

day

of

man

.

When

the

divine

commandmentdeclares: RemembertheSabbathdayin

ordertokeepitholy (Ex20:8),therestdecreedinorderto

honourthedaydedicatedtoGodisnotatallaburden

imposeduponman,butratheranaidtohelphimto

recognizehislifegivingandliberatingdependenceupon

theCreator,andatthesametimehiscallingtocooperate

intheCreatorsworkandtoreceivehisgrace.In

honouringGods rest ,manfullydiscovershimself,and

thustheLordsDaybearstheprofoundimprintofGods


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blessing(cf.Gn2:3),byvirtueofwhich,wemightsay,itis

endowedinawaysimilartotheanimalsandtoman

himself,withakindof fruitfulness (cf.Gn1:22,28).This

fruitfulness isapparentaboveallinfillingand,ina

certainsense, multiplying timeitself,deepeninginmen

Dies Domini - On keeping the Lord's day holy

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