Culture depends for its very
existence on leisure, and leisure, in its turn, is not
possible unless it has a durable and consequently living
link with the cultus with divine worship.
Josef Pieper’s Leisure, the Basis of Culture is more significant and more crucial today than fifty years ago.
In his writing, Pieper reminds us that religion can be born only in leisure – a leisure that allows time for the contemplation of the nature of God. It is safe to say that leisure is the first foundation of any culture. 'Unless we regain the art of silence and insight, the ability for nonactivity, unless we substitute true leisure for our hectic amusements, we will destroy our culture – and ourselves.'
You can read the book "Leisure, the Basis of Culture" by Josef Pieper at the following site:
http://www.archive.org/stream/leisurethebasiso007390mbp#page/n9/mode/2up
This book was written by a Vietnamese Cardinal who presents himself as a humble ex-prisoner. He spent more than thirteen years in prison, nine of which were in solitary confinement. Cardinal Van Thuan wrote of his experience: "After my liberation from prison many people said: "Father, you must have had a lot of time to pray in prison." Then he continued to say "The Lord allowed me to experience all my weakness, my physical and mental fragility. Time passes slowly in prison, above all in isolation. Imagine a week, one month, two months and more...of silence. They are terribly long, but when they become years, they are an eternity. There were days when, exhausted by fatigue and sickness, I did not manage to say a single prayer!" Ultimately, Cardinal Thuan looked to Jesus as a model for prayer.
"Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do" (Lk. 23:34).
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Lk. 23:42).
"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" (Lk. 23:46).
Cardinal Thuan said that these short prayers help him to "sanctify everything".
This video clip which contains various sacred images and with the beautiful words sung by Josh Groban,helps us to reflect more deeply on God's unconditional love for humanity. Also, a poem by George Herbert entitled "Love" came to mind.
" Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,
guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack
from my first entrance in,
drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
If I lack'd any thing."
There is so much to be learned of Divine Beauty from the silence of God.
From March 8, 2010 issue of the America magazine was an article entitled "God Is Ready...Are you? by James Martin, SJ. He posts a question to his assistance novice director:"What do I need to do before I can relate to God?""Nothing," he said. "God meets you where you are."
