There are things in this world that wound the body, but there are other things that wound the soul. The saints were very aware of seven spiritual diseases which are the root of many other sins. They are called the “Seven Deadly Sins. St Thomas Aquinas called them the “Capital Sins”, because they are the head (caput) from which other sins flow.  To reflect on them is a very good way to prepare for your Lenten Confession. Let’s go through them briefly.

1.PRIDE: The root of all sin. The fall of Lucifer began with pride. It is an inordinate love of our own importance. We can recognise our own gifts, but they come from God. Pride says, “I did all this myself.” Pride doesn’t like correction and doesn’t like Confession. Humility is the remedy – acknowledging that everything we have is received, and when you confess, don’t give excuses for your sins.

2.AVARICE: also called greed, is the obsessive love of possessing things and in thinking that happiness depends on your next purchase from Amazon! It can also be jealousy over someone else’s possessions and success. The remedy is generosity. Make one financial sacrifice during Lent which will make you feel the pinch a little, and spend time with people who can’t repay you.

3.LUST: “the disordered desire for sexual pleasure, isolated from its procreative and unitive purpose” (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 2351).  Lust distorts our ability to see others as persons and not as objects for our gratification. Remedies are to remove sources of temptation from our phones and computers, and to practice custody of the eyes. And fast in small ways to strengthen your self-control. Never negotiate with these temptations, or you will become a slave to them.

4.ENVY: This is sadness at the happiness of another. It can be feeling annoyed at another’s success instead of being grateful. In Genesis (4:1-16), Cain was envious of his brother Abel. God accepted Abel’s offering and not his, so Cain murdered him out of jealousy. We can be envious of other people’s careers, marriages, academic success, homes, cars and talents. The remedy is charity – to deliberately will the good of another, and to recognise that you may have gifts that they don’t. And always remember, you can’t take any material possessions with you when you die.

5.GLUTTONY: This is usually associated with taking too much food, but it’s more than that. It is also an excessive attachment to comfort. It includes constant entertainment, avoidance of sacrifice and always choosing ease. Small acts of self denial and not eating between meals help overcome this.

6.ANGER/WRATH: There is such a thing as righteous anger, as Our Lord demonstrated when He threw the money-changers out of the Temple (Matt 21:12-17). But wrath is uncontrolled anger and the desire for revenge. Social media doesn’t help with this, because people often write terrible and harsh things. When we don’t keep this in check, it can develop into real bitterness. Patience is the remedy and so is forgiveness – which is not weakness, but strength under control.

7.SLOTH: This is not mere laziness. It is spiritual apathy which includes putting off prayer, not going to Confession, being casual about attending Mass and delaying your duties. Remedies are being faithful in small duties, and praying even when you don’t feel in the mood.

None of these sins require extraordinary talent to correct – only perseverance and grace. Remember the saints were not free from these struggles either, but they were faithful in perseverance.

Fr Paul Gillham, IC