#F460 Terapia das Doenças Espirituais.17- Acídia- a preguiça de ser santo

Summary

The script discusses 'acedia', a spiritual malady characterized by sadness and spiritual lethargy, often arising from the struggle to attain sanctity. It delves into the Greek origin of the term, 'akedia', meaning 'lack of care', and explores how this spiritual condition can lead to despair, pettiness, and a torpor towards spiritual commands. Drawing from St. Thomas Aquinas and other theologians, the talk examines the nature of acedia, its effects on spiritual life, and suggests that true conversion and embracing God's love are essential for overcoming it.

Takeaways

• 😔 The script discusses 'acedia', a form of spiritual sadness or torpor, often misunderstood as laziness but deeply related to the struggle with the demands of love and spiritual growth.
• 📚 Acedia originates from the Greek 'akedia', meaning a lack or absence of care or attention, particularly towards one's spiritual salvation.
• 💔 It is described as a sadness for the divine good, a melancholy that arises from the perceived difficulty or sacrifice involved in pursuing holiness and union with God.
• 🙏 Saint Thomas Aquinas defines acedia as a spiritual tristess that opposes charity or love, highlighting its direct conflict with genuine affection and action driven by love.
• 🔄 Acedia is seen as a significant obstacle to spiritual perseverance, causing individuals to become inert and resistant to the transformative spiritual journey.
• 🌟 True happiness and fulfillment are found in communion with God, which is the ultimate purpose of human existence and the antidote to acedia.
• 🤔 The script suggests that acedia can lead to a distorted view of God and spiritual demands, perceiving them as burdens rather than pathways to joy and fulfillment.
• 👥 Acedia is not just an individual struggle but a societal issue, with widespread inactivity and lack of genuine love being symptomatic of its presence.
• 🚫 Saint Thomas Aquinas lists six daughters of acedia: malice, rancor, pusillanimity, despair, torpor regarding commandments, and wandering of the soul towards forbidden things.
• 🛑 Despair is identified as the first daughter of acedia, where individuals no longer hope for divine happiness or eternal life, leading to a rejection of spiritual growth.
• 💢 The script touches on the interconnectedness of acedia with other vices such as anger, resentment, and the desire for what is forbidden, indicating a complex web of spiritual challenges.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the script?

The main topic discussed in the script is 'acedia', a type of spiritual tristess or sadness, and its implications on the path to sanctity.

What is the origin of the term 'acedia'?

The term 'acedia' comes from the Greek 'akedia', meaning a lack or absence of care or zeal for one's soul's salvation.

Why is acedia considered a significant obstacle on the path to sanctity?

Acedia is considered a significant obstacle because it leads to a lack of energy, spiritual depression, and sadness, which can hinder one's perseverance and commitment to spiritual growth.

According to Saint Thomas Aquinas, what is the opposite of acedia?

According to Saint Thomas Aquinas, the opposite of acedia is charity or love, which is the driving force behind all actions, whether virtuous or not.

What does Saint Thomas Aquinas describe as the two daughters of acedia?

Saint Thomas Aquinas describes the two daughters of acedia as malice and rancor, which arise from the desire to fight against those who call for a change in one's life.

What are the six daughters of acedia mentioned by Saint Thomas Aquinas?

The six daughters of acedia mentioned by Saint Thomas Aquinas are malice, rancor, pusillanimity, despair, torpor regarding the commandments, and the wandering of the soul towards forbidden things.

How does acedia affect a person's actions and behavior?

Acedia affects a person's actions and behavior by causing inactivity, paralysis, and a lack of desire to engage in spiritual practices or pursue sanctity.

What is the spiritual significance of the term 'akedia' as used in the script?

The term 'akedia' in the script refers to a spiritual tristess or sadness that arises from the reluctance to embrace the demands of love and the transformation required for spiritual growth.

What does the script suggest as a solution to overcome acedia?

The script suggests that the solution to overcome acedia is a change in mentality, a metanoia, which involves seeing God not as an enemy but as a source of love and embracing the transformation that comes with spiritual growth.

How does the script relate acedia to the concept of love and its demands?

The script relates acedia to the concept of love by suggesting that the demands of love, such as the need for transformation and spiritual growth, can be perceived as burdensome, leading to the sadness and inactivity characteristic of acedia.

What are some of the resources mentioned in the script for further understanding of acedia?

Some of the resources mentioned in the script for further understanding of acedia include works by Enzo Bianchi, Alberto Piovano, and articles by Jean Charles, as well as the writings of Evagrius Ponticus.