Are nurses bound to observe the Sabbath rest?
The short answer
Nursing the sick on Sunday is a work of mercy. The Sabbath is Saturday, part of the Old Law; Sunday, the Lord's Day, has taken its place for Christians. Jesus healed on the Sabbath. Keep the Lord's Day as holy as you can — and know the Lord stands beside you as you serve.
A work of mercy
Caring for the sick on Sunday is a work of mercy.
Sabbath and Sunday
The Sabbath remains Saturday as part of the Old Law. For Christians, Sunday — the day of the Resurrection, the Lord's Day — has taken its place, but it is not literally the Sabbath.
Jesus heals on the Sabbath
In Mark 3:1-6, the Pharisees watched to see whether Jesus would heal on the Sabbath. He asked whether it was lawful to do good or evil, to save life or destroy it; they were silent, and grieved at their hardness of heart, he healed the man's withered hand.
Your service
Priests and nurses both work hard on Sunday, and both are needed. Keep the Lord's Day as holy as you can, knowing the Lord is beside you as you serve the people he loves.
Continue exploring
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- Does the Church excuse people from Sunday Mass based on age?Q&A
- I didn't arrive at Mass until the consecration. Was I right not to receive Communion?Q&A
- I don't like the Novus Ordo and can't get to the old Mass every week. Is it a sin not to go?Q&A