Mortification During Easter Season at Work
During this second week after Easter, we strive to recollect ourselves to work in a spirit of joy. That's our focus during this entire Easter Season. I hope you're having some success with this. Even if it's only for a moment here and there, or only some days vs. others, every little bit helps.
Today, let's recall that our Lenten penitential practices likely helped bolster our spiritual strength by increasing our self-control. Simple mortification practiced each day works like regular exercise performed faithfully each day. You don't usually notice any progress from day to day. But, over time, the effects of your diligent efforts manifest themselves.
If we compare mortification to physical exercise, we'll understand why. Now, we're not talking about going to the gym to shape our bodies in the form of a modern Adonis. We're simply talking about doing those things that help keep our bodies healthy.
Our bodies are "Temples of the Holy Spirit." As such, we're responsible for the maintenance of that temple. The recent disastrous fire at Notre Dame can serve as a good example of the importance of maintenance. Apparently, the place wasn't particularly well-maintained. Centuries of wear and tear had spawned the construction project that was underway when the fire broke out. But so much more was needed than that one project. Had the cathedral been properly maintained through the centuries, perhaps the fire would not have spread so quickly.
Just as we need to be good stewards of any material wealth we may possess, we need to be good stewards of our bodies. However much or little we've been endowed with material wealth, all of us bear the responsibility to use it for the welfare of our families and the benefit of others. Our bodies, made of matter, comprise part of that material wealth. So, as good stewards, we take care to maintain good health by eating well and keeping our bodies in reasonable good shape. Not saying you've got to win a body-building competition, run a marathon, or even do 100 push-ups. "Reasonable" would be the operative word.
We can think of the daily practice of mortification in the same way. Reasonable mortification, over time, builds your spiritual muscles. Just as with physical exercise, we're not talking about anything excessive or extreme here.
If you delay eating your lunch a couple of minutes after saying grace, you'll find you're more in control of your appetite. If you push away the next glass of wine, beer, or liquor at some point, you'll be more in control of your drinking. Over time, you'll find yourself less prone to eating and drinking too much.
Keep custody of your eyes and ears. If a pretty woman walks by or enters the room, you don't have stare at her and mentally dwell on her good looks. If you hear co-workers engage in gossip or other uncharitable comments about others, don't crane your neck to catch every word. And keep your own mouth shut. Over time, your eyes and ears will be geared to avoid sources of temptation; you'll reduce or eliminate impure thoughts or uncharitable comments about others.
We're not looking for special or more intense mortification duruing the Easter Season. But we're not forgoing our regular practice of mortification either.
It's just like physical exercise. You may engage in a particularly demanding program, as I do from time to time. When you've finished - after, let's say 60 or 90 days - you may notice some improvement, but you don't then forego all exercise. You keep at some form of exercise to maintain your fitness.
Now that Lent is over, keeping up regular mortification, can serve as maintenance. But it may also promote overall improvement if it is persistently practiced.
Oh, and mortification can be fully engaged at work, as opposed to most forms of physical exercise. About the only form of exercise I can manage while I'm working is some stretching. Just about all forms of mortification, though, can be practiced at some point throughout my work day.
As a tool to advance in the spriritual life, mortification is hard to beat. It's simple, accessible to anyone, typically doesn't require too much time, and can be practiced just about anywhere, anytime. If you developed and enhanced the practice of mortification throughout Lent, don't slack off now during the Easter Season.
Today, let's recall that our Lenten penitential practices likely helped bolster our spiritual strength by increasing our self-control. Simple mortification practiced each day works like regular exercise performed faithfully each day. You don't usually notice any progress from day to day. But, over time, the effects of your diligent efforts manifest themselves.
If we compare mortification to physical exercise, we'll understand why. Now, we're not talking about going to the gym to shape our bodies in the form of a modern Adonis. We're simply talking about doing those things that help keep our bodies healthy.
Our bodies are "Temples of the Holy Spirit." As such, we're responsible for the maintenance of that temple. The recent disastrous fire at Notre Dame can serve as a good example of the importance of maintenance. Apparently, the place wasn't particularly well-maintained. Centuries of wear and tear had spawned the construction project that was underway when the fire broke out. But so much more was needed than that one project. Had the cathedral been properly maintained through the centuries, perhaps the fire would not have spread so quickly.
Just as we need to be good stewards of any material wealth we may possess, we need to be good stewards of our bodies. However much or little we've been endowed with material wealth, all of us bear the responsibility to use it for the welfare of our families and the benefit of others. Our bodies, made of matter, comprise part of that material wealth. So, as good stewards, we take care to maintain good health by eating well and keeping our bodies in reasonable good shape. Not saying you've got to win a body-building competition, run a marathon, or even do 100 push-ups. "Reasonable" would be the operative word.
We can think of the daily practice of mortification in the same way. Reasonable mortification, over time, builds your spiritual muscles. Just as with physical exercise, we're not talking about anything excessive or extreme here.
If you delay eating your lunch a couple of minutes after saying grace, you'll find you're more in control of your appetite. If you push away the next glass of wine, beer, or liquor at some point, you'll be more in control of your drinking. Over time, you'll find yourself less prone to eating and drinking too much.
Keep custody of your eyes and ears. If a pretty woman walks by or enters the room, you don't have stare at her and mentally dwell on her good looks. If you hear co-workers engage in gossip or other uncharitable comments about others, don't crane your neck to catch every word. And keep your own mouth shut. Over time, your eyes and ears will be geared to avoid sources of temptation; you'll reduce or eliminate impure thoughts or uncharitable comments about others.
We're not looking for special or more intense mortification duruing the Easter Season. But we're not forgoing our regular practice of mortification either.
It's just like physical exercise. You may engage in a particularly demanding program, as I do from time to time. When you've finished - after, let's say 60 or 90 days - you may notice some improvement, but you don't then forego all exercise. You keep at some form of exercise to maintain your fitness.
Now that Lent is over, keeping up regular mortification, can serve as maintenance. But it may also promote overall improvement if it is persistently practiced.
Oh, and mortification can be fully engaged at work, as opposed to most forms of physical exercise. About the only form of exercise I can manage while I'm working is some stretching. Just about all forms of mortification, though, can be practiced at some point throughout my work day.
As a tool to advance in the spriritual life, mortification is hard to beat. It's simple, accessible to anyone, typically doesn't require too much time, and can be practiced just about anywhere, anytime. If you developed and enhanced the practice of mortification throughout Lent, don't slack off now during the Easter Season.
Happy Easter!
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