"Your grief will become joy."
(John 16:20)

Many theologians have contrasted the deadly sin of sloth with the life-giving virtue of fortitude.  Sloth denotes weakness in time of adversity; fortitude denotes courage in the face of trials.  There are trials and adversities and suffering in every person's life.  But we must learn to face them with courage and accept them with joy.

Our crosses may be internal or external; physical, psychological, spiritual.  We are all familiar with the catalog of human suffering: the loss of health, financial worries, emotional upheavals, etc.  The key question that confronts us is not whether we will suffer but how we will suffer. 

The Christian view is courageous, even joyful, acceptance of suffering in union with Christ.  His sufferings were redemptive, live-giving, because they were enriched with love.  If our sufferings are united with the sufferings of Christ, if they are motivated by love, they too can be redemptive.  The deadly sin of sloth will tempt us to an attitude of bitterness, hardheartedness, coldness in the face of suffering.  Slothful persons show pain and grief at being called to follow Christ.  courageous Christians do their best to respond lovingly to the mandate of Jesus: 

"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

There is an intimate connection between sloth seen as apathy toward spiritual responsibilities and social justice.  It is even more evident in our battle with self-pity.  The latter fault definitely takes away our joy. 

Joy is an intimate part of the gospels.  After commanding his followers to live in love, Jesus says:

"I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete." (John 15:11) 

After informing his disciples that he would be leaving this world and promising them that he would send the Holy Spirit upon them, Jesus states:

"I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy."  (John 16:20)

Paul joins in support of this attitude.

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I shall say it again: rejoice! (Philippians 4:4-5)

Our joy is rooted in the reality of the Lord's presence, in his gift of the Spirit to us.  Because he is near, because his gentle love envelopes us, joy - even amid the anxiety and turmoil of life - should be ours.

Though sloth makes us fear our spiritual responsibilities, Jesus assures us that his yoke is easy and his burden light.  God wants us to be joyful people, not apathetic and indifferent and sour.  The goodness of God is all around us; he is indeed the cause of our joy.  In him, as Jesus promised, our joy will be complete.