Choose a topic from Part 2A:
1. Malice is badly disposed reason. It is commonly calledbad will. A sin committed through malice or bad will is a kind ofcold-blooded sin. From the standpoint of the disposition of reasontowards sin, there are three types of sin: (a) sins of negligence;for example, sins that come from culpable ignorance; (b) sins ofpassion; (c) sins of malice.
2. There is malice in a sin committed through habit. For ahabit is not compelling; the victim of habit is free to reject itsinfluence. So long as a person knowingly allows a sinful habit tocontinue, and does not take effective measures to banish it, heshows malice or bad will.
3. Yet a man may sin, and sin with malice, without havingthe habit of such a sin.
4. Malice makes a sin more grievous than it would be if itwere committed under the stress of passion. For malice shows acoldly purposive will to sin, despite the clear judgment of reasonwhich is at the will's service. But passion surges hotly upon aperson and blurs the judgment that precedes the act of will.
"If, devout soul, it is your will to please God and live a life of serenity in this world, unite yourself always and in all things to the divine will. Reflect that all the sins of your past wicked life happened because you wandered from the path of God's will. For the future, embrace God's good pleasure and say to him in every happening: "Yea, Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight." "
St Alphonsus de Liguori
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"Men should often renew their good resolutions, and not lose heart because they are tempted against them."
St Philip Neri
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"Whoever wants to stand alone without the support of a master and guide will be like the tree that stands alone in a field without a proprietor. No matter how much the tree bears, passers-by will pick the fruit before it ripens.
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St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church
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