These occupations are looked upon as innocent pastime, affording relief to the body and mind, and in this respect should be likened to the taking of food.  For it is certain that sanitary conditions often as imperiously demand recreation as nourishment.  Especially is this the case with persons given to sedentary pursuits, confined during the week to shops, factories and stores, and whose only opportunity this is to shake off the dull monotony of work and to give the bodies and minds necessary relaxation and distraction.  It is not physical rest that such people require so much as healthy movement of a pleasing kind, and activity that will draw their attention from habitual channels and thus break the strain that fatigues them.  Under these conditions, common works are not only allowed, but they are to be encouraged.

But it must not be lost sight of that these pursuits are permitted as long as they remain common works, that is, as long as they do not accidentally become servile works, or go contrary to the end for which they are allowed.  This may occur in three different manners, and when it does occur, the works known as common are forbidden as servile works.

1.  They must not expose us to the danger of omitting divine service.  The obligation to positively sanctify the day remains intact.  Sin may be committed, slight or grievous, according as the danger to which we expose ourselves, by indulging in these pursuits, of missing public worship, is more or less remote, more or less probable.

2.  These works become illicit when they are excessive, when too much time is given to them, when the body receives too large a share of the exercise, when accompanied by overmuch application, show or fatigue.  In these cases, the purpose of the law is defeated, the works are considered no longer common and fall under the veto that affects servile works.  An aggravating circumstance is that of working for the sole purpose of gain, as in the case of professional baseball, etc.

3.  Lastly, there are exterior circumstances that make these occupations a desecration of the Lord’s day, and as such evidently they cannot be tolerated.  They must not be boisterous to the extent of disturbing the neighbor’s rest and quiet, or detracting from the reverence due the Sabbath; they must not entice others away from a respectful observance of the Lord’s day or offer an opportunity or occasion for sin, cursing, blasphemy and foul language, contention and drunkenness; they must not be a scandal for the community.  Outside these contingencies of disorder, the Sabbath rest is not broken by indulgence in works classified as common works.  Such activity, in all common sense and reason, is compatible with the reverence that God claims as His due on His day.

CHAPTER LV.  PARENTAL DIGNITY.

We have done with the three commandments that refer directly to God.  The second Table of the Law contains seven precepts that concern themselves with our relations to God, indirectly, through the creature; they treat of our duties and obligations toward the neighbor.  As God may be honored, so He may be dishonored, through the works of His hand; one may offend as effectively by disregard for the law that binds us to God’s creatures as for that which binds us to the Creator Himself.