Principles and Practices, November 29

SPIRITUAL IDLENESS

If of all graces that of perseverance is the most precious, because it is the one which makes all the others of lasting value, cer­tainly among the vices which beset the devout life spiritual idleness is one of the chief; for it is the contradictory of perseverance. Yet I doubt whether practically we regard it with the fear which it deserves.

All the three dispositions of our normal state, fatigue especially, are desolated by it. Struggle is tempted to give way to laziness and to take recreation apart from Christ. Fatigue is sorely drawn in its aching lassitude to fall from dry interior faith, and to seek consolation in creatures, a step almost as fatal as going to sleep in the snow. Rest murmurs when the trumpet sounds to renew the fight, and would fain prolong itself by natural means when supernatural means have ceased.

-Faber.
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From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930