Sir, - I write concerning the disdain for the Sabbath Day in modern Ireland. I would like to remind your readers of the commandment: "Thou shalt keep holy the Sabbath Day."
Twenty-first century man has turned Sunday into just another day. Big stores are open to facilitate our greed and craving for consumer goods as if six days a week were not enough to fulfil our appetites. I try to be an exception and sometimes succeed, sometimes not.
The pubs are filled with children in the afternoons, aided and abetted by the relaxation - a backward move in my opinion - of the drink licensing laws. Why can't parents take the kids to the parks, zoo, on nature walks, or to the cinema if it's raining?
Some children as young as four and five are wandering around in the pubs, or getting up to devilment and disturbing older customers watching a match or having a quiet pint. Why can't parents take it in turns to mind kids at home or outside?
Last, but certainly not least, I mention the church. Sunday should be a day of prayer and rest. Such Christians as are left in Ireland should take heed of Matthew 6-33: "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well." Our Lady of Medjugorje echoed this when she said "put God in the first place" - i.e. go to Mass on Sunday service first. Then we can relax and read the papers. - Yours, etc.,
Bill Stack, Blackrock, Co Dublin.