When does Sloth (or Acedia) become a mortal sin?

[Socrates92]

Here’s St. Thomas’ p.o.v: I answer that, As stated above (I-II:88:1; I-II:88:2), mortal sin is so called because it destroys the spiritual life which is the effect of charity, whereby God dwells in us. Wherefore any sin which by its very nature is contrary to charity is a mortal sin by reason of its genus. And such is sloth, because the proper effect of charity is joy in God, as stated above (II-II:28:1), while sloth is sorrow about spiritual good in as much as it is a Divine good. Therefore sloth is a mortal sin in respect of its genus. But it must be observed with regard to all sins that are mortal in respect of their genus, that they are not mortal, save when they attain to their perfection. Because the consummation of sin is in the consent of reason: for we are speaking now of human sins consisting in human acts, the principle of which is the reason. Wherefore if the sin be a mere beginning of sin in the sensuality alone, without attaining to the consent of reason, it is a venial sin on account of the imperfection of the act. Thus in the genus of adultery, the concupiscence that goes no further than the sensuality is a venial sin, whereas if it reach to the consent of reason, it is a mortal sin. So too, the movement of sloth is sometimes in the sensuality alone, by reason of the opposition of the flesh to the spirit, and then it is a venial sin; whereas sometimes it reaches to the reason, which consents in the dislike, horror and detestation of the Divine good, on account of the flesh utterly prevailing over the spirit. On this case it is evident that sloth is a mortal sin.

• Summa II-II Q.35, A3

Basically, is he saying that it becomes mortal once it reaches the point where one intellectually acknowledges that he is neglecting some grave spiritual duty, but out of malice still consents to do so? At which point does such the duty neglected qualify the sloth as grave matter? Feel free to go into any nuance necessary.

 

[thistle]

Modern Catholic Dictionary:

SLOTH. Sluggishness of soul or boredom because of the exertion necessary for the performance of a good work. The good work may be a corporal task, such as walking; or a mental exercise, such as writing; or a spiritual duty, such as prayer. Implicit in sloth is the unwillingness to exert oneself in the performance of duty because of the sacrifice and the effort required. As a sin, it is not to be confused with mere sadness over the inconvenience involved in fulfilling one’s obligations, nor with the indeliberate feelings of repugnance when faced with unpleasant work. It becomes sinful when the reluctance is allowed to influence the will and, as a result, what should have been done is either, left undone or performed less well than a person is responsible for doing. Sloth may also mean a repugnance to divine inspirations or the friendship of God due to the self-sacrifice and labor needed to co-operate with actual grace or to remain in the state of grace. This kind of laziness is directly opposed to the love of God and is one of the main reasons why some people, perhaps after years of virtuous living, give up in the pursuit of holiness or even become estranged from God. (Etym. Middle-English slowthe, slow.)

 

[Socrates92]

Ok, that answers the question about when it crosses over from a simple disorder/temptation into sinfulness, but I’m trying to determine, more specifically, in which cases it becomes mortally sinful. When does acting in a slothful manner become grave matter?

 

[porthos11]

When, for example, your slothfulness leads you to neglect grave responsibilities, such as providing for your family such that they are forced into homelessness, or out of your own laziness neglected your children’s being raised in the faith such that out of your own fault, they leave the faith. Or you neglected your habit of daily prayer to absolute zero that you then lost your own faith and love for God.

Slothfulness such as preferring to eat chips while watching Netflix rather than sweeping the floor won’t get you to hell. Well, if you’re married, that might not be exactly true .

 

[1Lord1Faith]

in which cases it becomes mortally sinful. When does acting in a slothful manner become grave matter?

“become grave matter” and “becomes mortally sinful” are two different things.

Assuming that you’re asking about at what point does sloth become mortally sinful, it would be when you willfully reject God in some serious manner. You also have to have a real good idea of exactly what you’re doing.

Also, sloth is generally not thought of as a one time sin like theft or assault, although I suppose it can be. It’s more like a habitual lifestyle that precedes any real knowledge of God, thereby generally not qualifying as mortal sin.

It’s also important not to confuse despair with sloth. Both can happen to people who know God, but unless sloth also involves a serious issue, or it becomes habitual to the point of a rejection of God, it isn’t worth considering it a mortal sin…it can lead to a feedback loop of despair/acedia that can really test a person’s faith.

 

[anon64350612]

When you stop going to Sunday Mass and you have no serious impediment to attending. Third commandment.