E N V Y   &   S L O T H

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ENVY…The experience of displeasure at the spiritual good of others so that we would

Love does not Envy

prefer not to hear others praised and in fact cannot refrain from contradicting what is said in praise of them.  Annoyance grows because the same praises are not said of us.  All this is contrary to charity (love-agape).

If charity has any envy, it is a holy envy, comprising grief of not having the virtues of others, yet also joy because others have them and delight when others outstrip us in the service of God.

SLOTH…We are wearied by the things that offer to us no spiritual sweetness.  Many would have God will that which they themselves will, and are fretful at having to will that which He wills, and find it repugnant to accommodate their will to that of God.  We measure God by ourselves and not ourselves by God.  We find it irksome when we are commanded to do that wherein we take no pleasure.  We are too weak to have the fortitude and bear the trials of perfection.  They resemble those who are softly nurtured and run fretfully away from everything that is hard, and take offense at the cross.

Next….the DARK NIGHT