Poetry from the Cabin — 02/04/2024

I recently began reading The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. One of the things that has fascinated me is the way Dante talks about sloth, or acedia. Essentially, acedia is knowing of God but not allowing the knowledge to change the way we live.

John Ciardi, the translator of my edition of The Divine Comedy, makes an interesting observation. He says:

“The Seven Deadly Sins for which souls suffer in Purgatory are—in ascending order—Pride, Envy, Wrath, Acedia, Avarice, Gluttony, and Lust.
Acedia is the central one, and may as well be the sin the twentieth century lost track of.”

It is wild that something so central to medieval thought has essentially been forgotten in popular culture. I suppose the closest concept I’ve heard is to speak of lukewarmness among believers.

I wrote this poem while thinking through my own acedia—sloth. In it, I tried to think through the ways I justify my own slothfulness, as well as the reasons I need to get off the couch and follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

An Inner Turmoil Over Sloth

Slothfulness
I prayed the prayer, so now I wait
There’s nothing quite so free a grace
How dare you say there’s more to life
It’s as if you’re asking me to strive
We’re saved by grace and not by works!
Have not you ever read Paul’s words?

Discipleship
Yes, we do nothing on our own
Our hearts of flesh are turned from stone
So we wake up on this great plane
Newly aware of mankind’s pain
Then feed and clothe the rich and poor
As Christ has done for us before

Slothfulness
Look, I’m too busy for all that
Family, work, and entertainment
I just simply don’t have the time
It is enough I give my dime
Pastor’s my insurance agent
Leave me alone, my dues are paid!

Discipleship
Yes, in this life we are found
But eternal life is starting now
Why live as if today is it—
Its time and its accomplishment?
Pursue His love and righteousness
More than today’s successfulness

Slothfulness
How dare you act like you’re so great
Preaching these works all in my face
God’s in heaven, you’re on this earth
His ways are far above your birth
How dare you say this is the way
When just a man bound to this place

Discipleship
God’s ways are far above our own
But He has made our hearts His home
The stable—as in Bethlehem—
Our flesh has Christ living within
These dirty, decomposing boards
Are chosen and loved by the Lord

Slothfulness
Chosen and destined for heaven
So what if my flesh is craven?
I’ll pass those pearly gates someday
For God has so destined my way
In heaven I will sing His praise
For then I’ll truly see His face

Discipleship
Run, run—there is work to be done
For God has named you as His son
This life will burn away like trash
Run, lest you enter clothed in rags
Yes, it is true that grace is sure
But sanctification—it takes work