Sunday vs Saturday
Question from thembeka on 6/18/2008:
I would like to know why Catholics go to mass on Sundays and not on Saturdays. Is this not in contravention on the Sabbath law?
Answer by Matthew Bunson on 6/30/2008:
This question has been asked a few times over the last years, so my apologies for repeating this information. The Jewish Sabbath as the seventh day of the week originated from two sources. First, in Exodus (20:11 and 31:17) is accepted as the day God took to rest after his work of Creation. At the same time, however, Deut. (5:15) is used to denote a remembrance of the deliverance of the Chosen People from Egypt. The day was set aside as a time of rest and relaxation, with specific prohibitions (Ex. 16:22-30; 35:3). This remembrance anticipated significantly the eventual deliverance of all from sin by Christ. The adherence to the Sabbath regulations became so stringent that the Pharisees condemned Christ for declaring that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath (Mk. 2:27).
Christians moved the observance of the Sabbath from the last day of the week to the first in a very early period, as is referenced in the Acts of the Apostles (20:7). It was not by some papal decree or imperial pronouncement but the mutual agreement among Christians that the Resurrection had taken place on the first day of the week, as had the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Catholics also continue to observe the Sabbath in keeping with Christ’s declaration in Mark (2:27). We thus differ from some denominations that choose to interpret the Sabbath through a stricter observance.
Question from thembeka on 6/18/2008:
I would like to know why Catholics go to mass on Sundays and not on Saturdays. Is this not in contravention on the Sabbath law?
Answer by Matthew Bunson on 6/30/2008:
This question has been asked a few times over the last years, so my apologies for repeating this information. The Jewish Sabbath as the seventh day of the week originated from two sources. First, in Exodus (20:11 and 31:17) is accepted as the day God took to rest after his work of Creation. At the same time, however, Deut. (5:15) is used to denote a remembrance of the deliverance of the Chosen People from Egypt. The day was set aside as a time of rest and relaxation, with specific prohibitions (Ex. 16:22-30; 35:3). This remembrance anticipated significantly the eventual deliverance of all from sin by Christ. The adherence to the Sabbath regulations became so stringent that the Pharisees condemned Christ for declaring that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath (Mk. 2:27).
Christians moved the observance of the Sabbath from the last day of the week to the first in a very early period, as is referenced in the Acts of the Apostles (20:7). It was not by some papal decree or imperial pronouncement but the mutual agreement among Christians that the Resurrection had taken place on the first day of the week, as had the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Catholics also continue to observe the Sabbath in keeping with Christ’s declaration in Mark (2:27). We thus differ from some denominations that choose to interpret the Sabbath through a stricter observance.
A study into history of the Early Roman Catholic Church reveals clearly that the Catholic church did indeed change Sabbath to Sunday. Before answering questions with facts, read your early church history. It is funny how some people leave that part out.
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