The necessity of leisure

Leisure in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
 
            In the book, Leisure the Basis of Culture, by Josef Pieper, society is described as one of that which is leaning towards the worker. The worker is described as someone who, “does not work to live; one lives to work” (Leisure the Basis of Culture4). Pieper points out that this work has encompassed our culture since the French Revolution. The average person thinks that leisure is idleness, but Pieper disagrees. The worker is constantly wrapped up on servile work, while the person who practices leisure practices interior transformations and contemplations. The book deals with the questions as to how society can bring back true leisure. Josef Pieper finally concludes that the ultimate form of leisure is divine worship through, “the sacramental sacrifice of the Christian Church,” (52) and this is achieved by bringing back the Christian cultus to society. ​

Read More