I am no saint. Most days I find my struggles are so profane and well, human. I don’t want to yell when I am angry at my child. I don’t want to start smoking again even when provoked by life. I don’t want spend frivolously, and compulsively, on books or clothes. I want to be more generous. To be less envious of the success of others. To respond in love and hopefulness rather than “expect” someone to live up to the low opinion I have of them. I’m just being honest here. Life is a struggle!
My children asked the other day if “to lie” was a sin. “What about to murder?” they asked. What are the seven deadly sins, they wanted to know?
The only thing that I could remember in the moment was Sloth, probably because I struggle with laziness and lack of motivation at-home. I struggle to do things that don’t interest me much, like laundry and other forms of housework; to train the dog even though it would make our lives so much better; to be consistent with my kids — book reading before computer, keep your room picked up, clean up after yourself! I find it easier to just do it myself, than hassle with teaching the kids.
But somehow I could work in the garden all day long, in the burning sunshine, because it doesn’t feel like work. I could pull a thousand weeds. Or draw with my kids.
I might write all day because it feels so wonderful to place one word in front of the other, in a way that I choose. But sweep, mop, pick up and put away? I’m loathe to do those things.
I could not remember what the Seven were, so I looked it up.
The Catholic church believes the Seven Sins are:
- Pride (or Vanity) is an excessive belief in our own abilities that gets in the way of our ability to recognize and experience the grace of God. Humility is seeing ourselves as we really are and not comparing ourselves to others.
- Envy is the desire for someone’s status, abilities, or life situation. Generosity is letting others get the credit or praise. It is giving without having expectations of the other person. It is love which actively seeks the good of others for their sake. Envy resents the good others receive or even might receive. Envy is almost indistinguishable from pride at times.
- Gluttony is consumption of more than what you need, of anything really.
- Lust is a craving for the pleasures of the body above knowing and craving God.
- Anger (or Wrath) is the person who spurns love and opts instead for fury. Its opposite, Kindness, is tender, patient and compassionate.
- Greed (Avarice or Covetousness) is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual.
- Sloth is avoiding physical or spiritual work.
Of course there is no “list” of seven in the Bible, though each of these are there in one form or another If we truly understood how these qualities make us who we are, perhaps we would understand ourselves better and more importantly our effect on others.
I know this. Sin in our lives deadens our spiritual senses and we become slower to respond to God. And then eventually we drift into complacency, apathy and even disbelief.
And the sad thing is that I am guilty. Guilty of this and more. Aren’t we all?
The good news is that the Grace of God offers me hope that not in my strength but with the power of the Holy Spirit I can forgive myself and I am forgiven.
Logic & Imagination 
I think another deadly sin is over-busy-ness. Kind of like sloth’s pretty but ultimately just as damaging stepsister.
Love the new, lighter theme for your blog. It seems to reflect a hopeful mood. Are you? Hopeful? I hope so.
Love also the picture of your kiddos being creative. ;)
LikeLike
Meg, I am working at it – ha ha. I think that I am the sort of person that lives “slightly sour” and truely has to make an effort to be positive. But there must be a reason that God made me this way so I try to listen to that other place too. The picture was from Lifest. We loved the art place where the boys sculpted and emma and I painted. MH
LikeLike
Oh Melody. We are kindred spirits.
LikeLike
Steph, I was thinking of you the other day. About how we “passed” one another in terms of living near and getting to know each other at BHC. “Almost.” Thankful for cyberspace anyway. Be well.
LikeLike
your post reminds me of a book by kathleen norris entitled, “the quotidian mysteries: liturgy, laundry, and ‘women’s work.'” i also suspect that our tendency toward certain chores (and away from others) is in part due to temperament. or, at least, that’s one way i explain why i don’t do the cooking in our house.
LikeLike
I would agree that we like certain things more than others. I am the outdoors worker in our home. I will do anything if it’s outside, even clean the garage. My husband tends to stay indoors and is frankly a better cleaner than most (he owns a cleaning company!) so our tasks tend to fall that way.
I have heard of that book but never read it. I’ll have to add it to my wishlist on amazon.
LikeLike
Hi Melody,
For what its worth I was thought to believe that envy or the sin of invidia is the deadliest of the seven deadly sins. But as you know there is actually no reason or classification for this except that the Catholic Church as you correctly noted, chose to focus on these particular sins.
Invidia, as I was thought, is the belief that one can play God, that is place oneself in the position of God by envying others for what they have and which we believe we lack. This sort of belief gives rise to idolatry and to self-worship. The result of such belief is hubris, which is worse than pride. Hubris leads to one thinking of and placing oneself in the position of God. Like in Greek mythology it leads to tragedy.
Regards,
Uche
LikeLike