THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS

 A REFLECTION FOR THE 4th SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

Pride, Avarice, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Anger, and Sloth

We may be forgiven if the title “Seven Deadly Sins” makes us think that these particular offences against God are the worst of all sins.  This is not necessarily so.  The title of “deadly” refers not to the gravity of these offences, but to their capacity to lead to other sins.  Indeed, the Seven Deadly Sins are the root cause of almost all other sins that can be committed, and it is this potential for further damage to our souls that makes them so dangerous that they deserve the name of “deadly”.  They are sometimes called “Capital Sins” with the word being used in the same sense as “Capital” Punishment, leading us to moral and spiritual death.

Each of these sins is likely to become habitual, and as such, they also fall under the category of “vices.”  A vice is a bad habit that offends God, and must be combatted by the corresponding virtue.  Each deadly sin, therefore, has a “Capital Virtue” contrary to it, and we must practice these virtues if we are to win our battle against the vices that afflict and tempt us with such alarming regularity.  Thus, we practice the virtue of humility to rid ourselves of pride, generosity against avarice, chastity against lust, kindness against envy, moderation against gluttony, meekness and patience against anger, and fortitude against sloth.

So are the seven deadly sins all mortal sins?  Not necessarily, although any of them may be, depending on the gravity of the thought, word, or deed with which they’re committed.  The important thing to keep in mind though is the danger we place ourselves in by those thoughts, those words, and those deeds, which will lead us ever further into the dens of iniquity.  And it is only by taking the time to examine our conscience that we will see them for the pied pipers they are, and be able to decide on the proper course of action to avoid following them into trouble.  What is my most habitual fault, my worst habit?  Under which category of deadly sin does it fall?  What is the corresponding virtue I must therefore ask God for, and commit to practicing on a daily basis?

Much more could be written on each of the deadly sins and the various ways in which they raise their ugly heads in our lives.  Some of those details would sound very familiar to us, others less so.  The children of God are a diverse bunch, and what is good advice for one would be wasted on others.  So it’s up to you and me, each individual soul, to seek out his or her own path to salvation.  The way forward is clear, as our blessed Lord told us that he himself is The Way, the Truth and the Life.  But our own individual soul needs to take different steps to place itself on that Way.  Today, let’s take that time we need to plot our next move.  If our primary vice happens to be Sloth, that might be especially difficult!  But whatever faults we have, there is a way out of them, and we will be judged ultimately on the efforts we make to find that way out and follow it.