Living on Borrowed Time
Time for rest
Finally, there is an important use of time that is not exactly “productive” yet is still good—so much so that God even requires it: the rest from work on Sundays. A workaholic might consider the Sunday rest a waste of time, but even God rested from all his work, and then blessed a day of rest for us. (See Gn 2:2.) The day set aside for communal worship, family relaxation, and general unwinding from the past week’s tensions is good for body and soul.
A weekly day of rest allows us to step back from the hectic pace of life. Our weekday labors are meant to bear fruit, and this fruit ought to be both enjoyed and shared. Enjoying our times of leisure is properly human, since it lifts us above mere survival. Leisure gives us time to appreciate art, music, literature, and to engage in activities not calculated simply to pay the bills or meet urgent obligations.
It also provides us an opportunity to relate in a more personal way with family and friends. This is important to God and should be important to us, since it helps enhance and deepen our relationships, refreshing our souls, and lightening our hearts. So our Sundays ought not be considered days of labor. We’re more likely to give thanks to God for his many blessings if we pause long enough to recognize and appreciate them on this day of rest.
Whether in work, prayer, or leisure, let us make good use of the time we have been given by God. When Jesus began his public ministry, he proclaimed, “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15). This kingdom was inaugurated at his first coming and will be definitively manifested at his second. We need to repent of having wasted time and dedicate more of our valuable time to those things that best fulfill the gospel message. It is high time to recognize that the present moment is a precious gift we can use for God’s glory—because we never know when our time will be up!
Joseph Homick is abbot of Holy Transfiguration Monastery in California and the author of several Catholic books and articles. Read his reflections at wordincarnate.word press.com.