Although spiritual directors are slim on the ground, one should try and ask a priest for advice on mortifications.
Two months ago, in Ireland, I did just that. The answer was interesting.
The holy priest said he did not suggest standing in cold water or extreme fasting. He said for me my life was a penance.
And so it is for many of us.
For those who live alone, loneliness and isolation, as well as the deprivation of love are part of a huge mortification.
For those who are poor and lack freedom to do what they want, when they want and how they want, or to have what they want, poverty is a limiting mortification.
For those who lack status in society and are even looked down upon daily and judged, such things are mortifying.
For the ill, whose activities are limited by pain and inconveniences, mortifications happen daily and the illness itself is mortifying.
That was the priest's point.
For those who have no mortifying circumstances, such sufferings must be sought out.
No kidding.
No pain, no gain.
Why?
Simple answer = pride of life.
One of the saddest persons I met years ago, although she did not know she was a sad case, was a woman of moderate wealth, who bragged that God gave her money to decorate her house over and over in order to glorify Him.
I wondered who exactly was her god.
I found it odd that her extravagance was couched in the language of suffering. There was no suffering in her shopping for the best and the latest and the most for her large house. None.
She said it glorified God to have all those those things.
She was stuck in the fear of suffering. As long as we fear suffering, we cannot advance.
So much better if God permits mortifications. I have a list, which I published last year. Paul had a list. Some have a life of the Cross. They are blessed.
Good. I do not have to run after false crosses, but only accept those which are given to me.
Do not make an own goal.
Allow Christ to share the Cross He do desires. And, if you have little or no suffering, you must choose something hard, not easy, but hard.
