Deadly Sins

 

Well, Easter is here and I am relieved. Lent is so grueling with its introspection and minor key music that I gave up Lent for Lent this year.  So I have been doing some research to determine what jeopardy I might be in.

First possibility is a deadly or capital sin, as in 7 deadly sins. Deadly sins are not literally deadly, but rather will cause damage to your soul and potentially lead to mortal sins. Mortal sins are a grave matter, committed with full knowledge of their severity and with deliberate consent. Without repentance, mortal sin leads to eternal death. Murder, adultery, blasphemy, oppression of the poor, and failing to attend Mass on Sundays or holy days are mortal sins. These require Confession for absolution.

Then there are the venial sins, less severe, those which damage the soul but do not lead to separation from God and can be forgiven through the Eucharist. This list is long and include things like white lies, gossip, rudeness, impatience, neglecting prayer or worship, laziness, envy, abusive language, excessive use of the internet.

Here is Pope Gregory I list of 7 deadly sins, created in the 6th century and later refined by theologians like Thomas Aquinas. 

Pride (Latin: Superbia) – Often considered the original and most serious sin, pride is an excessive view of one's self without regard for others; considering oneself to be greater than one truly is.  For example, slapping your name and mega-size pictures of yourself on government buildings.   Antonym: Humility.

Greed (Latin: Avaritia) – An excessive pursuit of and attachment to material possessions and earthly goods. For example, grifting the country for $1.4 Billion.  Antonym: Charity.

Lust (Luxuria):  Intense, disordered desire for pleasure—most commonly sexual—that objectifies others and prioritizes self-gratification over love, commitment, or divine command. Examples of this are legion.  Antonym: Chastity

Envy (Invidia): Sadness or desire stemming from another's happiness or possessions. For example, denigrating predecessors to elevate oneself. Antonym: Humility 

Gluttony (Gula): Overindulgence and overconsumption of anything to the point of waste. For example: 12 cokes, 2 Big Mac's, 2 Filet-o-Fish, chocolate malt per day.  Antonym: Temperance

Wrath (Latin: Ira) – Strong, excessive anger and hate towards another person, often stemming from a desire for vengeance. For example, calling immigrants garbage.  Antonym: Patience 

Sloth (Acedia): Laziness, spiritual apathy, or failure to act. For example, unwilling or unable to read a daily briefing, instead demanding a Tic-Toc video.  Antonym: Diligence

I have certainly committed a few of the deadly and numerous venial sins but I believe I have avoided the mortal sinning.  Luckily, I am a Lutheran and for us there are just two classes of sin: venial and mortal. But also only two sacraments, baptism and eucharist, so in the confession department we tend to wallow in guilt.  But I pray Lutheranism makes me exempt from the ‘failing to attend Mass’ mortal sin. (Although, probably making fun of mortal sins is a mortal sin.)

I also find the boundary between the venial and the deadly sin is fuzzy. There seems to be overlap - a detail that seems important to know.  Does staying home to watch the NCAA Womens' Semi-Finals rather than attending Tenebrae Service fall in the deadly or mortal category?

See you in church.  Unfortunately, we have abandoned the sunrise 6:00 AM service which has served as penance for me.

Copyright © 2026  Dave Hoplin