GLUTTONY
The Catholic Encyclopedia is quite brief in describing gluttony as “the excessive use of things in themselves legitimate.”
This frames the discussion in a much wider context than consuming too much food. The spirit of gluttony (too much) can be applied to any number of pleasurable things which are in themselves quite innocent. “Binging”, we sometimes call it. Whether it be TV, internet, food, drink, gambling etc., there comes a point when we cross the line and it becomes apparent that other “goods” go wanting because of our gluttony.
Time spent with spouse, friends, family or seeing to the proper performance of the duties of our state in life can go unattended to. This friends, is sin. Most times it is venial sin in that, by itself, it does not reject God’s love; unless of course it leads to serious neglect of other moral responsibilities.
Food and drink are what is most times associated with gluttony. It remains for each person’s con- science to determine what has been “too much”. Your family (spouse, parents, children, friends) are good sounding boards to gently (hopefully!) let you know you’re crossing the line.
SLOTH
Again the Catholic Encyclopedia tells us sloth is “an interior malaise that expresses itself in a tardy and careless performance of religious and other life duties.”
I know you’re thinking “couch potato” right? But this is only part of it. Going deeper we see that this laziness is based on what ancient philosophers called “acedia”. It means not caring.
The Desert Fathers of the early church recognized this spirit in their lives of prayer, fasting and silence. A certain fatigue or boredom sets in that urges a person to retreat from the works of duty and charity. It comes to all of us, doesn’t it? Literature refers to it as “The Noontime Devil”.
This sin, like the other capital sins, has kin. Sadness, melancholy, restlessness are all psychological states that, by themselves, have no moral evil attached to them. However, these emotional states left unchecked can lead to sins against charity. Remember, Sloth means “not caring”. Neglect, self pity, abandonment can all result from this Noonday Devil.
I hope these thoughts on sin are helpful. Next week . . . . Lust!!
Bless you.
Fr. Tim
