Is there a vice which is specially opposed to the second act of charity which is called joy?
Yes; and this is the vice of sadness touching spiritual and supernatural good which is the proper object of charity, and which we know to be God Himself, our perfect happiness (XXXV.).
How is such sadness possible?
It is possible because man by reason of his distaste for spiritual things esteems the divine good, which is the object of charity, as something not good, and as baneful and oppressing.
Is this always a mortal sin?
Yes, it is always a mortal sin when it passes from the lower or sensitive part of our nature and infects the rational and higher part of our soul (XXXV. 1).
Why is it then a mortal sin?
Because it is directly opposed to charity which makes us in duty love God above all things, and as a consequence makes us bound to seek in Him the first and ultimate peace and joy of our soul (XXXV. 3).
Is this sadness one of the capital sins?
Yes, it is a capital sin, because on its account men do many evil things and commit numerous sins either to avoid and get rid of it, or because its oppressiveness makes them take refuge in evil acts (XXXV. 4).
What is this evil sadness which is a capital sin called?
It is called spiritual laziness, or distaste for spiritual things.
What are the sins which flow from this sin, or what are the daughters of this spiritual laziness?
They are despair, pusillanimity, sluggishness as regards the precepts, spite, malice, and the wandering of the mind among unlawful things (XXXV. 4, ad 2).
Is this laziness the only vice opposed to the joy of charity?
No, there is another called envy (XXXVI.).
What is the difference between these two vices?
There is this difference: spiritual laziness is opposed to the joy of the divine good in so far as this good is in God and ought to be in us; whereas envy is opposed to the joy of the divine good in so far as this good belongs to our neighbour (XXXV., XXXVI.).
Next - The Catechism of the Summa - SECOND SECTION - A DETAILED SURVEY OF MAN'S RETURN TO GOD - X. OF THE VICES OPPOSED TO CHARITY AND THEIR ACTS: OF HATRED; DISTASTE FOR SPIRITUAL THINGS AND LAZINESS; ENVY; DISCORD; STRIFE; SCHISM; WAR; QUARRELLING (THE DUEL); SEDITION; SCANDAL (C)
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