Eighteenth Week after Pentecost, Monday. On Frivolity and Slothfulness

Eighteenth Week after Pentecost.—Monday.

On Frivolity and Slothfulness.

Wisdom is more active than all active things: thinking this with myself, and pondering it in my heart, that to be allied to wisdom is immortality.—WISDOM VII.

I. PRELUDE.

If we would imitate Jesus Christ we must avoid all that is contrary to true wisdom.

II. PRELUDE.

Grant, O Lord, that obtaining from Thee grace to overcome all frivolity and slothfulness, we may be always occupied in pleasing Thee.

I. POINT.

Want of control over our thoughts is an obstacle to spiritual progress.

Many persons there are, who by their conversation, their pious sentiments, their fidelity to the practices of religion, testify their desire to attain holiness; but they are not conscious perhaps of a defect in themselves which causes their will to oscillate between good and evil; and decreases their power of making progress in the spiritual life. This defect consists in frivolity: a certain levity pervades the imagination, and leads captive the powers of the soul; and so it comes to pass that the attention is absorbed in matters of no moment, and turned away from the only Object worthy of it. This failing is not to be lightly passed over, for it renders the soul feeble and cowardly in the service of God: and it is, in fact, the more harmful, because they who are under its influence are often beguiled into believing themselves free from it. They waste their time in vain thoughts and useless desires; and let their minds be occupied perhaps for hours together, with the recollection of some little annoyance; or in nourishing pride by needlessly recalling some words of praise or flattery. Do we find that we are wholly exempt from the faults arising from an uncontrolled imagination? Do we permit our thoughts to wander in and out the circumstances of a humiliation? or linger idly near some reminiscence of applause? No wonder that there is so little true devotion in our prayers and meditations, that our minds are filled with vanity or vexation, if we do not habituate ourselves to repress at all times vague, frivolous, trifling imaginings. To combine gravity with cheerfulness, serious-mindedness with spiritual joyousness, ought to be our aim. While we seek to acquire greater promptitude in dismissing thoughts arising from self-love, we shall at the same time be learning to fix our attention more and more on those things which concern our eternal interests.

II. POINT.

Another hindrance to our spiritual advancement is slothfulness.

Slothfulness and cowardice are closely allied to each other; of this alliance tepidity and relaxation are the result. And slothfulness does not necessarily mean idleness, nor repugnance to any particular form of work; but rather an inclination to inaction, as opposed to effective watchfulness and real self-sacrifice. We are naturally so cowardly about undertaking anything for God, which we foresee will demand patience and perseverance: and sluggishness lurking beneath this pusillanimity, proves itself a vice most difficult to correct, because it is inherent in our nature. It is not easily recognisable, save by souls on the alert to discover their most secret foes. Are we aware to what extent slothfulness is really injuring our inner life? Knowing that it is only to be overcome by generous fervour and unwearying vigilance, let us strive to exercise both; and acquit ourselves better of the active duties—exterior and interior—of our respective callings. Blessed is that servant, whom when his Lord shall come, He shall find watching: Wherefore let us be also ready. Not only must we be on our guard lest our Good Master receive any injury through our neglect, but day and night let us be trying to please Him; for He may come in the second watch, or He may come in the third watch. It behoves us to examine what our fervour is, in our ordinary actions—in our exercises of piety. Are we subject to the depressing influence of spiritual sloth? Are we habitually negligent with regard to our religious duties? our acts of mortification? Are we indifferent as to whether we are overcoming our base cowardice or not?

COLLOQUY.

I find that all the powers of my soul should be more actively and constantly engaged, O my God, in rendering Thee service. By Thy grace I understand how needful it is for me to banish from my mind all frivolous ideas and vain imagining. Help me, on these two points, to be more alive to the dangers I may incur through negligence. Enable me to avoid all cowardice and slothfulness: to watch lest thoughts of self-gratification and vanity engross me, and hinder me from communing with Thee.

RESOLUTION.

To fill my mind with holy thoughts, and to overcome spiritual slothfulness.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.

Arise then, and be doing; and the Lord will be with thee.

PRAYER.

Our Father and Hail Mary.