What if truly resting was actually holy? ⛺That’s exactly what Patrick Conley and Fr. John Paul Erickson explore in this deep, rich, and refreshingly countercultural edition of The Inner Life on Relevant Radio. 😌📖 Be sure to listen to the whole episode!

John Paul starts us off with an observation: Leisure, in its true spiritual sense, isn’t about streaming binges or bottomless brunch. It’s about holy rest, that “seventh day” kind of resting... where we stop doing and start being with God.

Fr. Erickson links our burnout culture to the Exodus story. Yep, Moses vs. Pharaoh has something to say to your Google Calendar.

💼 Pharaohs, Profit, and the 21st-Century Exodus

Who's Pharaoh today?

👑 The Culture of Profit: You are what you earn.

📱 The FOMO Monster: Have to be in the loop 24/7.

💔 People-Pleasing: Can't say no. Must keep hustling.

😱 The Fear of Suffering: Comfort at all costs.

These pharaohs aren’t just out there. They’re also in here... in our hearts. 🫀 Jesus is the new Moses, leading us out through the Red Sea of Baptism into a life of worship and love.

🕊️ Leisure = Worship (Yes, Really)

According to Fr. Erickson, leisure’s purpose is love. 💘 Not just “self-care,” but true communion with God.

Think about it: God didn’t rest on the 7th day because He was tired. 😴 He rested to contemplate the goodness of creation, and we’re called to do the same. We're not meant to veg out, but to gaze lovingly on God's beauty, truth, and goodness.

The saints and even ancient philosophers got this: Contemplation is the highest human activity. Not doing. Being with God.

📞 Listener Shoutout: Leonard in California

Leonard, in his 40s and fresh off a master’s in Catholic Studies 🎓, calls in with a big one: "I’m restless… is it because I haven’t found my vocation?"

Father’s answer is profound 💬:

“There will always be some restlessness. Because only God fully satisfies.”

But he understands Leonard’s journey; his restlessness is a gift, a divine tug on the heart, pulling him toward his true calling: sainthood. Whether married, ordained, or single, vocation is about loving God and neighbor. Period.

😓 “But Isn’t Leisure Selfish… When There’s So Much Suffering?”

Fr. Erickson compassionately says: No. In fact, not making time for rest with God actually weakens our ability to love others well. 💔

He compares it to marriage:

“Even spouses doing great things can grow distant without quality time together… It’s the same with God.”

💡Leisure isn’t selfish. It’s relational. It’s giving time to the One who gave you time in the first place.

TL;DR 

You’re not a machine. God didn’t make you to make bricks for Pharaoh. 🧱

He made you to love, to worship, and yes… to rest.

✨ Leisure is worship.

✨ Rest is resistance.

✨ Your worth is not in what you do, but who you belong to.

So, take that walk, read that psalm, sit in silence. 🎧🌿 Just be with the Lord. He’s not in a rush.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

What if truly resting was actually holy? ⛺That&rsquo;s exactly what Patrick Conley and Fr. John Paul Erickson explore in this deep, rich, and refreshingly countercultural edition of The Inner Life on Relevant Radio. 😌📖 Be sure to listen to <a href="https://relevantradio.com/2025/06/leisure-and-the-spiritual-life-the-inner-life-june-5-2025/">the whole episode</a>!
<hr data-start="382" data-end="385">
John Paul starts us off with an observation: Leisure, in its&nbsp;true spiritual sense, isn&rsquo;t about streaming binges or bottomless brunch. It&rsquo;s about holy rest, that &ldquo;seventh day&rdquo; kind of resting... where we stop&nbsp;doing and start being with God.
<blockquote data-start="491" data-end="622"></blockquote>
<hr data-start="921" data-end="924">
Fr. Erickson links our burnout culture to the Exodus story. Yep, Moses vs. Pharaoh has something to say to your Google Calendar.
💼 Pharaohs, Profit, and the 21st-Century Exodus
Who's Pharaoh today?
👑 The Culture of Profit: You are what you earn.
📱 The FOMO Monster: Have to be in the loop 24/7.
💔 People-Pleasing: Can't say no. Must keep hustling.
😱 The Fear of Suffering: Comfort at all costs.
These pharaohs aren&rsquo;t just out there. They&rsquo;re also in here... in our hearts. 🫀 Jesus is the new Moses, leading us out through the Red Sea of Baptism into a life of worship and love.
<hr data-start="1576" data-end="1579">
🕊️ Leisure = Worship (Yes, Really)
According to Fr. Erickson,&nbsp;leisure&rsquo;s purpose is love. 💘 Not just &ldquo;self-care,&rdquo; but true communion with God.
Think about it: God didn&rsquo;t rest on the 7th day because He was tired. 😴 He rested to&nbsp;contemplate the goodness of creation, and we&rsquo;re called to do the same. We're not meant to veg out, but to gaze lovingly on God's beauty, truth, and goodness.
The saints and even ancient philosophers got this: Contemplation is the highest human activity. Not doing. Being with God.
<hr data-start="2180" data-end="2183">
📞 Listener Shoutout: Leonard in California
Leonard, in his 40s and fresh off a master&rsquo;s in Catholic Studies 🎓, calls in with a big one:&nbsp;"I&rsquo;m restless&hellip; is it because I haven&rsquo;t found my vocation?"
Father&rsquo;s answer is&nbsp;profound 💬:
<blockquote data-start="2435" data-end="2514">
&ldquo;There will always be some restlessness. Because only God fully satisfies.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
But he understands Leonard&rsquo;s journey; his restlessness is a gift, a divine tug on the heart, pulling him toward his true calling: sainthood. Whether married, ordained, or single, vocation is about loving God and neighbor. Period.
<hr data-start="2752" data-end="2755">
😓 &ldquo;But Isn&rsquo;t Leisure Selfish&hellip; When There&rsquo;s So Much Suffering?&rdquo;
Fr. Erickson compassionately says: No. In fact, not making time for rest with God actually weakens our ability to love others well. 💔
He compares it to marriage:
<blockquote data-start="3045" data-end="3152">
&ldquo;Even spouses doing great things can grow distant without quality time together&hellip; It&rsquo;s the same with God.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
💡Leisure isn&rsquo;t selfish. It&rsquo;s relational. It&rsquo;s giving time to the One who gave you time in the first place.
<hr data-start="3264" data-end="3267">
TL;DR&nbsp;
You&rsquo;re not a machine. God didn&rsquo;t make you to make bricks for Pharaoh. 🧱
He made you to love, to worship, and yes&hellip; to rest.
✨&nbsp;Leisure is worship.
✨&nbsp;Rest is resistance.
✨&nbsp;Your worth is not in what you do, but who you belong to.
So, take that walk, read that psalm, sit in silence. 🎧🌿 Just be with the Lord. He&rsquo;s not in a rush.
<hr data-start="3689" data-end="3692">
The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.