Sunday observance.

On Pentecost Sunday, 1998, Pope John Paul published an Apostolic Letter on the observance of Sunday (Dies Domini). Every Sunday, he said, is a day on which we celebrate Easter Sunday, which is at the heart of the Church's life. On this day we continue to celebrate the creation of the universe and the liberation of the Jews from slavery in Egypt, as the Old Testament Jews did on their Sabbath in obedience to the Third Commandment. At the same time we celebrate the second creation and our liberation from eternal death.

We go to Mass on Sunday because the praise of God requires "explicit prayer" and because we are not simply individuals in God's sight but members of a visible Church, the People of God. What it means to be the People of God is explained by the Creed we say; and that we are one in Christ is symbolized by the Kiss of Peace. We go to Sunday Mass to offer up, with Jesus, the burdens and needs of our week and to be activated to communicate to others the Good News we have received.

We celebrate on Sunday because this is the day on which Jesus rose from the dead and also the day on which the Holy Spirit inaugurated the Church at Pentecost. It is significant as well that our Sunday, though first named in honour of the sun, is now known as the day on which we honour the Son of God, who is the true light of the world.

The Pope is aware than in some countries Sunday Mass attendance is dropping, but states that we have a "real obligation," a grave obligation, to attend Mass on Sunday, which has become an obligation only because first of all we have "a need rising from the depths of Christian life." "What began as a spontaneous practice later became a juridically sanctioned norm. The Lord's Day has structured the history of the Church through two thousand years: how could we think that it will not continue to shape her future?"

The Sunday observance comprises more than attendance at the Eucharistic Sacrifice. Since the fourth century Catholics in the Western World have been able to have Sunday changed into a day of rest. It is an opportunity to strengthen family life and social relationships, and to provide time for relaxation, prayer, catechesis, pilgrimages, and works of charity.

In our present-day culture we are tempted to see Sunday simply as part of "the weekend." The Pope warns that "Christians today must face the enticements of a culture that has accepted the benefits of rest and free time, but which often uses them frivolously and is at times attracted by morally questionable forms of entertainment,.... marked more and more by a fragmentation and cultural pluralism which constantly test the faithfulness of individual Christians to the practical demands of their faith."

Christians are "put to the test because the scattered disciples of Christ can no longer easily maintain contact with one another, and lack the support of the structures and tradition s proper to Christian culture." In a situation of such difficulty, the Pope says, "the opportunity to come together on Sundays with fellow believers, exchanging gifts of brotherhood, is an indispensable help."

The Pope realizes that, because of the shortage of priests in many places, it is not always possible to attend Mass on Sunday, but urges Catholics to attend paraliturgies or to take part in Mass presented by TV or radio.