I’m continuing my scrutiny series examining the seven deadly sins: “PEWSAGL”, Pride, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Avarice, Gluttony, and Lust. I covered the first two last week, will cover the next three today, and finish the last two next week. I’m using a definition for each from Michael Downey’s The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality, Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2000. I like these definitions and think they give a concise, good explanation of each sin well worth pondering.
Wrath
The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality, edited by Michael Downey, describes wrath (anger) as follows:
Anger diverts a good capacity for strong action destructively toward self and others, when that action should be used constructively to attack evil and to serve good. This sin often shows clear social consequences. “From anger,” wrote Gregory the Great, “are produced strifes, swelling of mind, insults, clamor, indignation, blasphemies.” The sin of anger must be distinguished from a “holy wrath,” anger which attacks evil bravely and which can be virtuous and praiseworthy. Different personality types experience and express anger differently. It can explode or seethe. Unbridled anger can lead to vengeful actions that are disproportionate to the injury or insult suffered. Movement away from anger usually entails progress in reflectivity and gentleness, so that as truth combines with love, one may act less impulsively than when under sinful anger’s influence.
To heal from wrath/anger, let us renounce it, confess it, and seek meekness and gentleness. Take time to pray and reflect when angry. Is it a holy anger seeking to attack evil and protect what is good, or is it more about me and my ego? Give your anger to Jesus, pray for patience, and practice letting go.
Sloth
The sin of sloth, not to be reduced to bodily laziness, usually shows in the inertia of a deadened spirit. This sin combines two related sins separately mentioned on some early lists: acedia, lack of care for duties and obligations to God, which gives rise not only to rancor, passivity, and sluggishness but also to restless activity and aggression; and tristitia, melancholy, weariness, or dissatisfaction. Nowadays factors engendering sloth will include insufficient or poorly used leisure time, narrow horizons of worldview, overly high expectations, aversion to love that demands sacrifice, and dependence on counterfeit satisfactions for life’s deepest yearnings. Growth toward greater commitment and zeal profits from regular consideration of ideals and values, a search for creativity amid the given factors in life, and provision for truly restorative leisure. (ibid)
To heal from sloth, let us renounce it, confess it, and seek zeal and diligence. Remember who God is and what God has done for you, how Jesus gave his life for you. Cut out the idols in your life, the lesser things that consume your time and attention. Pray for zeal and kindle the fire of your love for God through a retreat or intimate prayer time.
Avarice
Avarice (greed) is an insatiable or inordinate longing for the possession of something. In a complex, competitive society, avarice can be especially alluring. It shows itself when trust in God is so fragile that worldly supports are grasped too tightly in order to ensure security for an uncertain future. Love of possessions in themselves or for purely selfish reasons leads to self-absorbing preoccupations. Avarice also embraces shame at receiving charity from others and inability to give to others without experiencing self-deprivation. This sin can masquerade as healthy frugality and independence. Progress toward generosity may involve appropriation of a healthy awareness of death’s finality, acknowledgment of interdependence and vulnerability, and practice of charitable acts. (ibid)
To heal from avarice, let us renounce it, confess it, and seek generosity and simplicity. Trust in God to provide our daily bread. Recall we can only really keep what we give away and that by giving alms we store up treasure in heaven. Seek to live a simpler life, be willing to ask for help rather than trying to be always independent, and be generous.
That ought to be enough for us to scrutinize today—Lord help us! The finale will come next week. As a reminder, we have confessions in Lent every Saturday at 3:30pm, and on Wednesdays at 12noon and 6pm. Also the big penance services are coming up the week March 17th.
Peace,
Fr. Greg