1. Acedia: The Silent Killer Dr
Acedia: The Silent Killer Dr. Kevin Vaughan Director of Catholic Studies, The College of St. Scholastica

2. Seven Deadly Sins What is Acedia? What Do We Do About It?
Acedia: The Silent Killer Dr. Kevin Vaughan Director of Catholic Studies, The College of St. Scholastica
Seven Deadly Sins
What is Acedia?
What Do We Do About It?

3. Modern Neglect Laziness SLOTH
Lack of productivity
“If sloth had been the original sin, we’d all still be in paradise.” (Harper’s Magazine, 1987)

4. Ancient Emphasis

5. Francis, Homily, April 1, 2014
“I think of many Christians, of many Catholics – yes, they are Catholics, but without enthusiasm, even embittered.” “This is the disease of sloth, the spiritual inertia of Christians. This attitude is crippling apostolic zeal. It makes Christian people stand still and at ease, but not in the good sense of the word; they do not bother to go out to proclaim the gospel! They are anesthetized.”

6. I. The Seven Deadly Sins

7. Obstacles to the Christian Life
Bodily desires
food, drink, sex
Social desires
ambition, reputation, status
Spiritual desires
fulfillment, self-identity, God

8. Capital Sins Capital sins Acedia Lead to further sins “fountainhead”
wandering mind, indifference,
error in faith, desperation,
sadness, neglect,
and cowardice

9. Vices
Broad meaning of SIN A single act of disobedience Our fallen state Patterns of sinfulness in our character Vice Deeply rooted patterns in our character Distorts our desires

10. II. What is Acedia?

11. What is Acedia?
a-kedia, GK = “lack of care” Desert Fathers Deep spiritual malady Dejection, feeling of oppressiveness, disgust Why? Aquinas’s answer: God’s love! “aversion to the divine good” (STII-IIQ35)

12. Edward Hopper, Room in New York (1932)

13. Reconcile or not? Not easy! Self-sacrifice and transformation
A Tough Decision
Reconcile or not? Not easy! Self-sacrifice and transformation

15. Life with God
Spiritual life is tough! Self-sacrifice and transformation Conformity to God’s grace Overcome by lack of joy (sadness) Resistance to the demands of God’s love

16. Manifestations of Acedia
Laziness
Excessive Busyness

17. Laziness Sadness over the demands of love Escape work itself
Sleeping in on Sunday
Sad over the demands on your time

18. Busyness Sadness over the demands of love Distractions
Escape particular work
Too busy to pray
Sad over the demands on your interests

19. III. What Can We Do About It?

20. Evagrius of Pontus ( )

21. Remedies Stabilitas Talking-Back “Staying put!” Perseverance
Monks cell
Commitment & discipline
daily schedule
St. Antony of the Desert
Talking back to demons
Bible verses

22. Angel of Zeal

23. Virtue of Zeal Joyful embrace of the demands of love
Angel of Zeal
Virtue of Zeal Joyful embrace of the demands of love

24. Summary
What Is Sloth? Sadness over the demands of love Manifestations? Laziness or Excessive Busyness What Do We Do About It? Stay Put & Talk Back! Goal ZEAL