Sloth/Idleness

[Dranu]

Hello. I think I am struggling with the sin of sloth (not really spiritual sloth I think, but might be related).

My question is, what exactly would sloth be? Being in college I have alot of free time pop up, especialy in the summer. So I’m starting to think that tv, movies, video games, relaxation, and non- educational or non-spiritual reading, are all sinful. The reason being is that with that time I could be learning more, working out more, praying more, or doing anything else that would make me a better person or help others. In truth, I can think of doing any labor with my time, I just sometimes excuse myself with something like: 'I’m too tired", “I’ve already done enough of that for one day.” or “I want to do this or that.” So if it is (as I am guessing) a sin, anyone have any good suggestions for fighting it? Thanks.

 

[LilyM]

We’re human beings, rather than machines.

We need rest time, not just sleep for the body, but a bit of recharge time for the mind too. So don’t feel bad if you spend some part of each day in activities that aren’t strictly useful.

You know the normal rule - 8-10 hours work a day (except on Sundays if possible), and 7-8 hours sleep, so if you divide the rest between ‘useful’ tasks (chores, exercise, productive hobbies) and relaxation that still gives you a good three hours or so! If you’re spending longer than this on average per day (except Sundays of course) then you might want to rethink.

If you’re like most students you’ll have really busy parts of the semester and others that aren’t so much, so it usually tends to even out.

 

[cynic]

working 6 days a week? is this required? and what about holidays, overseas trips, going out with friends etc.

 

[LilyM]

working 6 days a week? is this required? and what about holidays, overseas trips, going out with friends etc.

Not really - but then most people who do paid work or study Monday-Friday will spend part of their Saturdays catching up a bit on chores (including shopping, which to me is always a chore in itself, even when I enjoy what I’ve bought!) or slot in extra time for their sports or other hobbies - or going out!

Like I said, across the week it tends to even out, and the same across the year even when you do take time off for vacations … I know I most always work harder before I leave on holidays or after I get back.

 

[Contarini]

Hello. I think I am struggling with the sin of sloth (not really spiritual sloth I think, but might be related).

My question is, what exactly would sloth be? Being in college I have alot of free time pop up, especialy in the summer. So I’m starting to think that tv, movies, video games, relaxation, and non- educational or non-spiritual reading, are all sinful. The reason being is that with that time I could be learning more, working out more, praying more, or doing anything else that would make me a better person or help others. In truth, I can think of doing any labor with my time, I just sometimes excuse myself with something like: 'I’m too tired", “I’ve already done enough of that for one day.” or “I want to do this or that.” So if it is (as I am guessing) a sin, anyone have any good suggestions for fighting it? Thanks.

Aquinas defines sloth as a kind of sadness arising from the fact that the good is difficult. I think this is the best and most profound definition. Right now, for instance, I am sad when I think of all the essays I need to grade for the five classes i am teaching, so I argue on this board to distract myself.

That is sloth.

So goodbye!

Edwin

 

[Flopfoot]

God is not a dictator who says
“Now it is time for you to learn more stuff”
“Now it is time for you to pray”
“Now get down and give me 20!”

It’s certainly admirable to have the desire to pray more, work out more and learn more.
But at the same time, it’s certainly too scrupulous to think you are sinning if you are not filling every spare moment with such activities.
Follow your conscience and your feelings on this issue, 'cause I don’t think that there is going to be an official Catholic teaching on how much you should exercise, pray and rest each day (besides, some people probably need more or less exercise than others, etc), but make sure you don’t get your conscience confused with the scruples and the massive guilt that’s a tool of the devil.

Edit - I guess to be fair I should point out that I am Apathy Incarnate and so probably not the best source of info on this issue.

 

[Greg27]

Sloth and acedia are a certain type of laziness and procastination which makes seeming to do good and holy things pointless and useless. Christian monasticism has known of this vice since the time of Evagrius of Pontus (who first defined it) and it was taken into Latin Catholicism with Pope Gregory the Great.

Sloth is connected to disordered desires, which dissipate our mental and spiritual focus. The best thing is to cut ourselves off from what gratifies our disordered desires (undergo the ‘night of sense’ as St John of Cross says) and focus our minds by prayer, good works, and patience.