Dan and Melissa explore mortification, the meaning and purpose.
- What is mortification? Voluntary actions by which we gradually put to death all of our vices, sinful habits and self-centered tendencies that lurk beneath them.
- The purpose of mortification and self-renunciation is about cleaning up “the garden of the soul” as many saints describe it.
- We must not only uproot sin but fill our souls with virtue to replace those sins, otherwise the soul will be susceptible to more sin.
- These acts of mortification must be done out of love of God, not because we love suffering.
- If you are truly mortifying yourself out of love, that’s the true expression of mortification, and if done correctly, you will see this as a path of liberation from the bondage of sin…liberating the soul from the bonds into the abundant life of Christ.
- Acts of mortification can be little as St. Therese of Lisieux described.
- Acts of mortification can be external or internal.
- The battle of mortification is often the same battle as that of spiritual warfare. St. James says that if you resist the devil, he will flee from you. Then, draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
- Mortification has no meaning outside of the cross of Christ through love.
- Suggestion: To better meditate during Holy Week watch, “The Passion of the Christ” on Good Friday.
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