A 15th Sunday after Pentecost Thought About How Love Instpires Universal Detachment- Continued

On this 15th Sunday after Pentecost, we continue our thoughts from last Sunday about how love inspires universal detachment. We turn again to the wise words of Father Schryvers.

Our focus today is on mortification. Right away we learn that these need not be "great." Rather, we'll find a whole palette of opportunities to mortify ourselves. Even those of us who actively practice mortification daily may be astounded at the list Father presents to us - one that is extensive, yet not exhaustive.

Consistent with Father's theme of universal detachment, we will see how mortification serves our desire to attain universal detachment. And let's remember why we wan this: to quell the constant haranguing of "self." Self may by our constant companion, but it is an unsavory one. That's why St. Paul urges us to put off the "old man" and put on Christ. He knew - as should we all - that "self" keeps us from God.

And we'll see in the most graphic possible way just how many if not most of us are subjected to this "old man," how self insists on being served rather than - or at least before - God.

If we don't counter this in some way, we can never really be close to God. We may even drift apart. And now matter the state of our spiritual life at the moment, none of us who claim to be faithful Catholics can allow this to occur. Really.

So settle in and take in all that Father offers us today. If you're not astounded by all the opportunities for mortification just waiting to be scooped up each day and practiced, perhaps you're already a saint. The rest of us will find a literal treasure trove of moritifcations.  

“Do not think that great mortifications or severe macerations are to be imposed, or that you are to be always armed with disciplines, or covered with iron chains. No! …There is an immense field of smaller mortifications…What joy can be given to Jesus, by suppressing an idle thought, by repressing the urge to criticize our neighbor or to converse with him! There is a world of virtue in restraining a too human sympathy or a too human tendency to be puffed up by a word of praise, a mark of esteem, a breath of flattery, or cast down by a reproach, an unkind word, or unjust accusation. There is great room to exercise ourselves in mortification, if we keep back the sharp retort, the cutting witticism that leaps to our lips. What sacrifices could be made in controlling our flighty imaginations, our persistent curiosity, our enervating love of ease, so diligent in justifying little comforts and frequent relaxations! It is not a small thing to deny our eyes the sight of an innocent and licit object; it is not a trifling matter, after all, to lay aside an interesting book. Oh! There are a thousand things we can do, besides indulging in awful maceration. And these little things, like little gnats, can really test the temper of one’s soul. 

 “How beautiful and how divine before God it would be to force ourselves never to wear a sad or worried look, in spite of all the ill-will of others, the embarrassment of business, the burden of overwork, interior depression, and the importunities of those around us! Finally, let us be ever ready to render service, especially to those who displease us, or who abuse our kindness; always to smile when more inclined to weep or break out into recriminations or murmurs; ever to welcome ingratitude from those whom we have served: Oh! How sanctifying all this is!” (Fr. Joseph Schryvers, C.SS.R.) 

 

Happy 15th Sunday after Pentecost!