Catholic Vocab Word(s) of the Week - “Acedia & Zeal”

Author

James Berigan
December 20, 2024

It would be pretty easy to randomly open up a Catholic dictionary, point an index finger down on whatever arbitrary word just happened to be on that page, and simply choose THAT as my Catholic Vocab Word of the Week.

But, here at Life’s Joyful Mystery,  we don't take the easy way out! No, sir! No, ma'am!

We scroll through hundreds, nay, thousands of words and phrases until we feel a divinely inspired tap on the shoulder that THIS is what the Lord wants us to share.

And this week, it’s a “two-fer”: “acedia” and “zeal”. These two words kind of go together, but not in a complimentary way, like peanut butter and chocolate do (in my very strong opinion). In this case, one of the words - acedia - is a problem, and the other - zeal- is the solution.

Webster’s Dictionary defines acedia as “apathy or boredom”.

In a spiritual sense, a more precise definition would be that acedia is a spiritual state of sloth or laziness that can lead to a person distancing themselves from God. In the Catholic Church, acedia is defined as the belief that spiritual tasks are too hard.

Here is acedia being used in a sentence:

“The monk struggled against the acedia that often overcame him during long periods of solitary prayer." 

“Zeal”, on the other hand, is a burning desire to please God, to do His will, and to advance His glory.  It is a desire, which is not natural to men or women. It is a desire which the Holy Spirit puts in the heart of every believer when they are converted to Christ.

“This desire can become so strong, that it impels a person to make any sacrifice, to go through any trouble, to deny themselves anything, to suffer, to work, to labor, to toil, to spend themselves and be spent, and even to die-if only they can please God and honor Christ.” (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/what-is-zeal/)

Now, in the work-a-day world, there are practical limitations that should be placed on zeal, (like committing to wearing socks in the work place), but you get the point.

While acedia and zeal present as a pair of opposites. I think it’s better to think about them in the way that one is a sickness (acedia) and the other (zeal) is the cure.

While it’s very clear to say acedia is bad and zeal is good, it’s not something that is easy to manage in real life. There are many reasons that can cause someone to grow distant and withdrawn from God, just as there are many reasons that people fall away from any beneficial habit.

As we come into the new year - 2025 - it’s a typical time to think about resolutions, about improving ourselves. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve resolved to lose weight or to save more money or to read more books. However, I’ve never actually resolved to become more “zealous” in my devotion to Christ. It seems like this would be a good time to do so!

So, how do we directly up our “Zeal” game?

  • Pray specifically for the gift of zeal (See some prayer suggestions below.)

  • Attend Mass every Sunday and as often during the week as possible

  • Partake in the sacraments as often as possible

  • Spend time with people who you know to be zealous themselves

  • Keep God a part of your everyday life through forming daily habits, such as scripture reading, listening to sacred music while driving, and consuming uplifting Catholic media sources.

Dear Lord, deliver me from my spiritual slump. My feelings don’t seem to match my faith today. I love you, and it saddens me when I experience complacency and a lack of zeal in my worship and devotion. Remind me when I feel this sluggishness that you are still near. Thank you for always hearing my prayers. Thank you for constantly receiving my worship and service, even when it feels small. Today, Father, I ask you to increase my zeal, fervency, and desire to serve you. I will trust you alone with this holy work in my heart. Remind me often not to quit spending time with you or living out my daily faith. God of hope, fill me and keep growing and renewing me as I seek you daily. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

My compassionate Lord, the vast crowds sought You out to listen to You and to be fed by Your holy Word. They burned with a desire to be with You, and You responded to them with great mercy. Please fill my heart with the same zeal and desire for You. Teach me, Lord, feed me and draw me close to You. Jesus, I trust in You.

Dear God, I pray that you would grant me a zeal for you that is rooted in knowledge and understanding. Help me to seek you with all my heart and mind, and to grow in my understanding of your ways. May my passion for you be grounded in truth and wisdom, so that I may serve you with all my heart and soul. Thank you for your grace and mercy, and for the gift of your Son, who has made it possible for me to know you and love you. Amen.