GROW IN FAITH 35 – Sunday and Holy Days

Keeping the Lord’s Day Holy

Opening Prayer

Lord God,
You give us time as a gift.
Help us keep Sunday holy.
Teach us to worship You with joy
and rest in Your presence.
Amen.

Part One

The Lord’s Day

From the beginning,
God taught His people to set aside time for Him.

The Commandment says:

“Remember that thou keep holy the sabbath day.”

For Christians,
Sunday is the Lord’s Day.

It is the day Jesus rose from the dead.

It is the day the Church gathers
to celebrate the Mass.

Sunday is not just another day of the week.

It is a gift.

A day for worship.
A day for rest.
A day for family.

It reminds us that God comes first.

Scripture

“Remember to keep holy the sabbath day.”
(Exodus 20:8)

Think and Discuss

Why do you think God asks us to set aside one day for Him?

How is Sunday different from other days?

What happens if we treat Sunday like any other day?

How can we make Sunday joyful and peaceful?

Allow thoughtful answers.

Part Two

Worship and Rest

On Sunday,
we gather for Mass.

We worship God together.
We listen to His Word.
We receive His grace.

Sunday Mass is not only a rule.

It is the centre of the Christian week.

We come to thank God,
to be strengthened,
and to remember who we are.

Sunday is also a day of rest.

Rest does not mean laziness.

It means stepping back
from constant work and noise.

It allows space for:

Prayer.
Family.
Conversation.
Peace.

Holy Days are special feast days
when the Church calls us to gather in the same way.

They remind us of important mysteries
in the life of Christ and the saints.

Guidance for Adults

Model joyful observance of Sunday.
Children learn its importance from tone and habit more than explanation.

Part Three

Why It Matters

Keeping Sunday holy
shapes our hearts.

It teaches us:

God is first.
Worship matters.
Rest is good.

When we faithfully keep the Lord’s Day,
our whole week is strengthened.

If we ignore Sunday without serious reason,
our spiritual life weakens.

But when we honour it,
we grow in grace.

Sunday is not meant to feel heavy.

It is meant to feel different —
peaceful, prayerful, joyful.

It reminds us
that our final rest is in God.

Each Sunday
is a small sign of heaven.

Quiet Reflection

Sit quietly for a moment.

Think about the last Sunday you experienced.

What made it holy?

Now say quietly:

“Lord, help me keep Your Day.”

Remain in silence together.

Practise This Week

Choose one:

• Prepare for Sunday on Saturday night.
• Arrive at Mass early and pray quietly.
• Limit unnecessary work or noise on Sunday.
• Thank God for one gift each Sunday evening.

Choose one and keep it steady.

Optional Response

Choose one:

Memory
Repeat slowly:
“Keep holy the sabbath day.”
Say it three times thoughtfully.

Action
Make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“This day belongs to the Lord.”

Closing Prayer

Lord,
Thank You for the gift of Sunday.
Help us worship You faithfully
and rest in Your peace.
Keep our hearts centred on You
each Lord’s Day.
Amen.