Good morning, and happy fourth of July (whether that is a national holiday or a regular Tuesday where you are!)! We are going to continue to talk about acedia today (it can be present just as much on a busy, eventful day as it can on a regular workday!), to explore the experience of this “noonday devil” as the ancients called it. “At its Greek root, the word acedia means the absence of care. The person afflicted by acedia refuses to care or is incapable of doing so. When life becomes too challenging and engagement with others too demanding, acedia offers a kind of spiritual morphine: you know the pain is there, yet can't rouse yourself to give a damn. That it hurts to care is borne out in etymology, for care derives from an Indo-European word meaning "to cry out," as in a lament. Caring is not passive, but an assertion that no matter how strained and messy our relationships can be, it is worth something to be present, with others, doing our small part. Care is also required for the daily routines that acedia would have us suppress or deny as meaningless repetition or too much bother.” – Kathleen Norris, Acedia & Me In what ways do you find yourself in this space of spiritually-medicated torpor today? What are the places in your world (our world!) crying out for your care, but you can’t seem to offer any? As you go about your day today, whatever it holds, consider regularly reminding yourself to awaken to the present moment—whether it contains deep joy or pain—to enter into caring, even if it’s messy. What is it like to be present to reality in this way on a day like today?

Posted by Jamie Bonilla at 2023-07-04 13:40:55 UTC