Spiritual Laziness

The sin of sloth does not refer to physical tiredness, fatigue or aversion to work, but rather to "spiritual laziness," a carelessness or lack of enthusiasm about the life of our soul, the love of God and the mission he has given us. It is a weariness or boredom of the soul that leads to despair.

Jesus summed up man's duties toward God in this saying: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind., and love your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:27)

When I reflect on this verse and I recount the course of my days and I see there are many times when distractions

serve to steer my heart and my mind and my soul away from a God that loves me infinitely. There are moments when I allow sin to push me away from a God that only desires to share his divine life with me.

It is in these moments of reflection that I try to remember that faith is an action. It requires my attention and my effort. God does all the heavy lifting, but He does ask that I at least take a moment to choose Him over each of life's daily temptations. Without fail, every time I fill a void with an intentional act of faith rather than just letting life happen to me, He responds with an overwhelming spirit of love and a desire to share His good news with the world around me.

Holy Father, I pray that every part of me would reflect my desire to know you and to love you. Grant me the courage and the spiritual energy to actively choose you every moment of every day.

About William Coppa William Coppa has attended St. Thomas since 1998. He is married to Debra Coppa and currently serves as one of the Lay Leaders.