Weigel believed that the flight from puritanism rendered Americans collectively incapable of the rigors of training to meet social challenges. Training is hard and only some kind of puritanism, stoic or Christian, can make it palatable. America's retreat from puritanism has made self-sacrifice unattractive, the basic presupposition for great action of human significance. Weigel feared that a hedonistic spirit was undermining the social fabric of American life. This is not freedom in an ethical sense but sheer irresponsibility and a form of despair.
Nihilism is always a form of acedia.
Catechism of the Catholic Church Faith in God's love encompasses the grace and call of God to respond with a sincere love for God above all and all creatures for God and because of God. Authentic Christian prayer expresses the joy of those who see the beauty of God in their lives. Reverend John Navone, S.J., is professor of theology at the Gregorian University in Rome. He has written scores of articles for various publications, and is best known for his contributions to narrative theology. His last article in HPR appeared in August-September 1992.