1. Seven Deadly Sins – Staying Away From the MirY ClAY
An Introduction
Surely not us?

2. Seven Deadly Sins - Staying Away from the Miry Clay

3. Sloth, or Laziness Definitions and Objections
[Sloth] is the sin which believes in nothing, cares for nothing, seeks to know nothing, interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, loves nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing, and only remains alive because there is nothing it would die for. (Dorothy L. Sayers)
Seven Deadly Sins - Staying Away from the Miry Clay

4. Forms and Structures Virtues, Vices, and Objects Chastity Lust
Intimacy
Temperance
Gluttony
Food and Drink
Generosity
Greed
Wealth
Diligence
Sloth
Service
Peace
Wrath
Justice
Contentment
Envy
Providence
Humility
Pride
Self
Forms and Structures
There has been a lot of attention paid in art and literature to the nature of the vices and the similarities and differences between the seven deadly sins.

6. CURRENT Shadows and Reflections
Retirement – “I am spending my kids inheritance”
December 12, 2012?
Nothing happened…
Video Games for adults who never grow up
Is work good for me? Amish Documentary
Hanging Out
Seven Deadly Sins - Staying Away from the Miry Clay

7. SLOTH TOWARDS GOD
Historically called Acedia – Apathy towards our duty to God, stemming from a lack of love for God.
Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." (Lewis, The Weight of Glory)
Seven Deadly Sins - Staying Away from the Miry Clay

8. SLOTH TOWARDS GOD
Words of Jesus – Matthew 25:26 – Parable of the talents – Strong Words!?
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Cf: Luke 19:14
Seven Deadly Sins - Staying Away from the Miry Clay

9. SLOTH TOWARDS MEN
Historically called Laziness – Apathy towards our duty to others, stemming from a lack of love for others.
Related to our sense of independence?
Seven Deadly Sins - Staying Away from the Miry Clay

10. Sloth towards MEN
Ephesians 4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
Produce more than you need, not less, (or even equal) and give!
Seven Deadly Sins - Staying Away from the Miry Clay

11. DILIGENCE FOLLOWS HOPE
SLOTH COMES FROM DESPAIR AND APATHY
Seven Deadly Sins - Staying Away from the Miry Clay

12. Diligence Follows HOPE
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
- Hebrews 6:7-12
Diligence Follows HOPE
Seven Deadly Sins - Staying Away from the Miry Clay

13. Diligence Follows HOPE
Rule of St. Benedict, ora et labora – Each requires hope!
Farmer’s prayer
Pilgrim’s Progress at the Base of the Hill of Difficulty
SIMPLE, SLOTH, and PRESUMPTION
Faith, Hope, Love – Things that happen to you?
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:7-12
Seven Deadly Sins - Staying Away from the Miry Clay

14. Diligence Follows HOPE
6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
- 2 Thess. 3:6-15
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:7-12
Seven Deadly Sins - Staying Away from the Miry Clay

15. Diligence Follows HOPE
6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
- Gal. 6:6-10
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:7-12
Seven Deadly Sins - Staying Away from the Miry Clay

16. FUN WITH PROVERBS!
He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great _________. The ____ of a lazy man desires, and has NOTHING; But the ____ of the diligent shall be made rich. As ____ to the teeth and ____ to the eyes, ​​So is the lazy man to those who send him. The way of the lazy man is like a ____ of ____, ​​But the way of the upright is a ____. The lazy man says, “There is a ____ outside! ​​I shall be ____ in the ____!” ​​I went by the field of the lazy man, ​​And by the vineyard of the man devoid of ____; ​​And there it was, all ____ with thorns; Its surface was covered with ____; ​​Its stone ____ was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: ​​A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to ____; ​​So shall your poverty come like a ____, and your need like an ____ man.
DESTROYER SOUL/SOUL VINEGAR/SMOKE HEDGE/THORNS/HIGHWAY LION/SLAIN/STREETS UNDERSTANDING/OVERGROWN/NETTLES/WALL/REST/PROWLER/ARMED
Seven Deadly Sins - Staying Away from the Miry Clay

17. Seven Deadly Sins – Staying Away From the MirY ClAY
Questions?
[Sloth] is the sin which believes in nothing, cares for nothing, seeks to know nothing, interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, loves nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing, and only remains alive because there is nothing it would die for. (Dorothy L. Sayers)