CONQUERING ACEDIA: PRAYING WHEN PRAYER SEEMS DIFFICULT.

OUTLINE 

The Concept of Acedia
Different Forms of Acedia
Acedia as Spiritual Sloth
Melancholy 
Humility 
Progressive Growth to Contemplation
The saints and Acedia
St. Teresa of Jesus
St. Therese of the Child Jesus
St. Teresa of Calcutta 
Conquering Acedia
Fervency
Spiritual Direction
Group prayer (Community)
Openness to the Spirit
Conclusion

The Concept of Acedia

The Idea of Acedia in Christendom is an age-old experience. The term Acedia is sometimes used to imply a spiritual sloth or in fact a deadly sin. However, in more contemporary times, some spiritual writers equate it with spiritual dryness. Thus, the term will be discussed to reflect both meanings separately. Basically, in this reflection, it covers the scope of spiritual repugnance or difficulty in prayer. 
There is, obviously, no need to emphasize, afresh, the importance of prayer. St. Francis teaches that, “with the strongest commitment, we cultivate 'the Spirit of holy prayer and devotion to which all temporal things must contribute'” and according to Saint John Chrysostom, “it is simply impossible to lead, without the aid of prayer, a virtuous life… it is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness.”
Acedia, then, in this context, simply means a condition in which we find it difficult to pray be it by our own fault, conditions beyond our control or by the making of the Divine. 

MASARU: THE TALE OF A SAMURAI CHRISTIAN - SHIRO AMAKUSA(Shimbara Rebellion)

There are many yet to be told and told but known to the few stories about the gradual but heroic spread of our dear Christian faith in many parts of the world. How many incorrupt bodies like that of St. Philomena are yet to be discovered and how many hidden sacrifices against one's own people for the sake of the faith may never be known or are almost forgotten by the few that knew it. Yet we know, according to Marcus Garvey, that "a people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots."

    The History of Christianity in Japan, like every other little beginning of Christianity, in need of some precious blood of Martyrs for seeds, had its share of martyrdom and persecutions. The tales of the 26 Martyrs of Nagasaki in Japan is quite known to many Catholics who are interested in the history of our Catholic heritage. Nevertheless, very few knows the story, struggles and rebellions of a Catholic Samurai, Shiro Amakusa in an effort to save the lives of tens of thousands of Christians. This struggle is now known as the Shimbara rebellion.

THE OPPOSITE OF GOD

Most of us are likely exposed to the concept of opposites as portrayed in the use and structure of grammar in various languages. We could agree that the opposite of hot is cold, opposite of long is short, possibly the opposite of an angel (of Yahweh) is a demon( there are actually a variety of opposites in this category), but have you ever thought; "What/ who is the opposite of God?". Most of us might likely think it's the devil ( Satan/ Lucifer). Now for something to oppose another, it must contrast it on equal grounds. For example Light and darkness.  When there's no light in a place, there's darkness and when light comes it extinguishes darkness. Light and darkness, even if brought together, can not work together. If the light is not bright enough, darkness engulfs it and if it is bright enough it extinguishes darkness. They are just opposites. So for something  or someone to qualify as the opposite of God, it must have the following qualities:  

First Saturday in Ordinary Time. - Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?

 

A king passing along his country side saw a wretched pauper in rags, the wise king discerning that the pauper was skilled in some art which could be useful in the Palace but because of the limitations of his present conditions could not carry out his skill, invited the pauper to come to the Palace so he could help him in some way, but on getting to the Palace gate on the appointed day, the gatekeeper (who is also a worker in the Palace) drove the pauper away because he deemed him to have no business in the Palace. When the king learns of it, what do you think he will do to the gatekeeper?

SOLEMNITY OF MARY THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD.

 

SOLEMNITY OF MARY THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD. 

When the fullness of time had come (according to Saint Paul's letter to the Galatians 4: 4-7), "God sent his son born of a woman to... redeem us" from slavery to sin so that we may gain sonship with him, in order that we can call God 'ABBA' Father. While on the cross completing the mission for which he was born, he said to the disciple he loved "Behold thy mother". He shared not just his father with us but also his mother, so that like him we will be Children of God and of Mary.