Thought for the Day – 5 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
IDLENESS
“There is another weighty reason which should prevent us from living in idleness.
The Holy Spirit warns us that: “Idleness is an apt teacher of mischief” (Ecclus 33:29) and “he who follows idle pursuits, is a fool” (Prov 12:11).
In other words, sloth is a great studity and is the father of the vices.
If anyone is inactive, he learns nothing.
Since our bodily and spiritual faculties were made for action, it necessarily follows that when they are not working for a good or useful purpose, they find an outlet in other directions, which lead to disorder and sin.
Without work and prayer, there is only inactivity which leads to sin.
It is fatal to remain idle.
God warns us that we must render an account of every idle work (Mt 12:36).
St Thomas Aquinas notes that an idle word is usually a venial sin but can also be a mortal sin (Summa Theologiae II-II, q 72, a 5).
What should be said then of those who live in idleness, while there is so much work to be done for the glory of God, for our own good and for the good of others?
Anyone who loves God is never idle, says St Jerome.
The love of God works wonderful things – if it does not, it cannot be called love!”
Antonio Cardinal Bacci
PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/05/thought-for-the-day-5-february-idleness/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/05/thought-for-the-day-5-february-idleness-2/
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