The Seven Deadly Sins

Here's a cheery subject for a late summer day! Actually, its one of those things that I would forget to post if I saved it for later (like Lent), so I thought I'd do it now. Here are each of the 7 deadly sins and the opposite virtue that goes along with each.

Pride/Humility
This goes along with the idea that we are each dependent on the Almighty God for our very existence. We are not God ourselves. Meditate on the Crucifixion of Our Lord as you pray for the virtue of true humility.

Greed/Generosity
Sacrificial giving is something that is almost gone in this modern time. True parenting is sacrificial giving. True marriage is sacrificial giving. True vocation of any kind is sacrificial giving. Christ's life and death was about sacrificial giving.

Envy/Love
Envy is another common modern "disease". We covet our neighbor's everything! St. Francis talked about Holy Poverty and how freeing it is. Inner poverty is about letting go of the need to own and control.

Anger/Kindness
How common this is! We are even angry in our cars now. I honestly don't remember my father ever expressing anger while he was driving. I don't think it occurred to him. "Pray for those who persecute you"--even those behind the wheel.

Lust/Self Control
Well, I think we live in an age where the 7 deadly sins are celebrated. True freedom is not being driven by our senses. We all end up in the same place, where satisfying our senses no longer seems important. Turn off the television for this one.

Gluttony/Temperance
This is difficult. Food is everywhere. In the second sorrowful mystery of the Rosary (The scourging at the pillar) we ask for the virtue of physical mortification. Now *that's* not a popular virtue these days, even among the "religious". Something to think about, though, in light of the massive gluttony of all kinds that exists in the West.

Sloth/Zeal
Zeal is difficult to maintain in the long run. We are not citizens of this world. We are put here to strive for perfection and can get weary on the journey. Prayer (even during "dry" times) and frequent reception of the Sacraments (both gifts from God for the journey) can help.