Efficiency, Leisure
- It is good to get things done without waste of time or resources. The dignity and value of persons cannot be based on their efficiency.
St. John Paul II, in Evangelium Vitae, said that our culture is obsessed with efficiency: "The criterion of personal dignity — which demands respect, generosity and service — is replaced by the criterion of efficiency, functionality and usefulness: Others are considered not for what they ‘are,’ but for what they ‘have, do and produce.’"
Leisure time may not seem efficient, yet it is necessary to reflect, to connect with others, specially God.
Pope Francis: "The worship of the ancient golden calf (Exodus 32:1-35) has returned in a new and ruthless guise in the idolatry of money and the dictatorship of an impersonal economy lacking a truly human purpose. ... Today’s economic mechanisms promote inordinate consumption, yet it is evident that unbridled consumerism combined with inequality proves doubly damaging to the social fabric" (Evangelii Gaudium).
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8).
We shall observe Sabbath rest mindful of the needs of all.
"Six days you shall labor and do all your work; but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work — you or your son or your daughter or your manservant or your maidservant or your ox or your ass or any of your cattle or the sojourner who is within your gates — that your manservant and your maidservant may rest as well as you" (Deuteronomy 5:13-14).
Catechism of the Catholic Church
A day of grace and rest from work
2184 Just as God "rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done,"121 human life has a rhythm of work and rest. The institution of the Lord's Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives.
2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body.123 Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health.
The charity of truth seeks holy leisure- the necessity of charity accepts just work.
2186 Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life.
2187 Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord's Day. Traditional activities (sport, restaurants, etc.), and social necessities (public services, etc.), require some people to work on Sundays, but everyone should still take care to set aside sufficient time for leisure. With temperance and charity the faithful will see to it that they avoid the excesses and violence sometimes associated with popular leisure activities. In spite of economic constraints, public authorities should ensure citizens a time intended for rest and divine worship. Employers have a similar obligation toward their employees.
"Holy leisure" gives people time "to cultivate their familial, cultural, social and religious lives" (2184) and provides an opportunity for "reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind and meditation, which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life" (2186). The Sabbath is not understood merely as "time off" : It’s the climax of the week. Mass. Here, the "work of human hands" is offered to God and transformed into a vehicle of Divine communion. liturgical calendar The seasons. Time is thus ordered towards eternity.
