One of the biggest dangers in the spiritual life isn’t necessarily hatred or rejection of God. It’s something far more subtle – lukewarmness. In the Apocalypse, the final book of the Bible, JESUS warns us, “Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth” (3:16). In other words, God finds lukewarmness nauseating!

So what is spiritual lukewarmness? It’s not an absence of faith, but the refusal of its demands. It’s when a person thinks: “I don’t do anybody any harm. I go to Mass on Sundays. I do pray, but not every day, and I go to Confession every Easter. I don’t have any terrible sins – I mean I haven’t murdered anybody and I don’t steal, so basically I’m a good person.” And that’s the danger – lukewarmness makes us think we are fine as we are. Venial or less serious sins are swept under the carpet and we think, “It’s just a small lie, only a little gossip and no one got hurt.” But the saints tell us that repeated venial sins dull the conscience, weaken our will, and in time they develop into mortal sins. A lukewarm Catholic will compare themselves with the world and think, “I am better than most.” But the standard is not the world. It is JESUS, Who commands us to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul and strength (Mark 12:30).

The good news is lukewarmness is curable! Here are some suggestions.

1. Confess your sins regularly. Don’t wait until you’ve fallen into mortal sin.

2. Stop comparing and saying, “I’m better than most.” A far better question is, “Am I more like Christ today than I was yesterday?”

3. Pray even if you don’t feel like it. St Alphonsus said, “He who prays will be saved; he who does not pray will be lost.”  Prayer keeps us spiritually alive.

4. Practice acts of mercy; visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, forgiving those who have offended you, praying for the dead. It takes the focus off ME!

5. Receive Holy Communion with fervour, not just out of routine. Prepare before Mass and make a thanksgiving after.

6. Flee occasions of sin – people, places and things. Root out any compromise and don’t let small sins remain unchecked.

7. Pray to the Holy Spirit. The opposite of lukewarmness is zeal which is a Gift of the Holy Spirit. Pray every day, “Come Holy Spirit, enkindle in me the fire of Thy love.” He can transform us from being tepid and lukewarm into a soul burning with zeal for God’s glory.

So let’s not settle for mediocrity. If you feel your faith has grown cold or lukewarm, don’t be discouraged. The awareness of it is a grace in itself. Start doing the things suggested above. If you respond to the grace, you will see how quickly things can change. JESUS is knocking at your door right now. Don’t keep Him waiting!

Fr Paul Gillham, IC