By John Fencik, Director
Catholic Formation Services

Summer in Montana! School’s out... vacation plans... the welcome change of pace from the frenetic rat race that envelopes the rest of our year. Yet why are weekends often busier than the work week? Why do we return from vacation needing another vacation?

What we have lost is a gift that God gave us and to which he calls us–holy leisure (otium sanctum). Genesis reminds us that after the work of creation, God rested and simply enjoyed all that he created. How he must have enjoyed his custom (3.8) of walking in the garden, in the early evening’s cool breeze, with Adam and Eve. On Sinai, God gave Moses the command to rest on the Sabbath–to take time from daily work to reflect on one’s loving relationship with God.

Our Lord often took time from a busy ministry to withdraw to the desert and pray to his Father, to be renewed in body and soul. In Mark 6, after the disciples return with enthusiasm for their accomplishments, Jesus invites them to go away to a secluded spot and rest.

In Spiritual Direction and Meditation, Thomas Merton wrote: “Now the Fathers of the Church understood the importance of a certain ‘holy leisure’–otium sanctum. We cannot give ourselves to spiritual things, if we are always swept off our feet by a multitude of external activities. Business is not the supreme virtue, and sanctity is not measured by the amount of work we accomplish. Perfection is found in the purity of our love for God, and this pure love is a delicate plant that grows best where there is plenty of time for it to mature.”

Holy leisure is not laziness and is not some self-centered hoarding of time. Rather, it refers to bringing a certain balance to our lives. It means finding a rhythm that results in the Spirit’s fruits of peace and joy. Yet it is so difficult to master. Why?

From our youth, we are taught a certain “work ethic,” making us into people of constant movement–always on the go. Not to be “doing” is somehow “sinful.” We have been indoctrinated into a life where everything must be pragmatic, have a purpose and a goal. Perhaps that is what has led many to simple boredom–a fact that TV, movie and social networking providers know as we seek 24 hours of nonstop entertainment.

Even school contributes to this. The word schola means “leisure.” Yet how many students believe that? Education has too often become a lengthy process to be endured to obtain a diploma, to be productive and to make money. Seeking wisdom simply for wisdom’s sake is perhaps outdated.

Our weekends and vacations have become overwhelmed with “busyness.” The Lord knows that both body and soul need rest and refreshment–perhaps one’s soul even more. Pope Benedict in 2007 quoted a 20th century German bishop: “Give the soul its Sunday and give Sunday its soul.” He encourages us to enjoy true leisure. G. K. Chesterton said: “When man gives God a holyday, God gives man a holiday.”

Real human happiness and fulfillment can be found only when one spends some quality time with God, which requires a commitment to quiet time, even real silence. Sorry, but watching TV, playing computer games or social networking are not what he had in mind. How uncomfortable modern men and women feel with real solitude and silence.

So much of our personal and family problems weigh more on our souls than on our bodies. Christians are not exempt from life’s issues. Sundays must be recaptured as a family day and a day of rest. Vacations should provide us with real opportunities to sit back, wonder, dream–to become more “childlike.” Do we really believe Christ’s promise for this summer and every Sunday? “Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light.” (Matthew 11.28-30)


John Fencik is director of Catholic Formation Services for the Diocese of Helena. He may be reached at jfencik@diocesehelena.org.


Published in The Montana Catholic Online, Volume 26, No. 6, June 18, 2010.