Mortification

One thing my devotions have unexpectedly taught me is about the practice of mortification. Mortification literally refers to inflicting physical discomfort upon the self in the name of God. It is practiced in numerous religions.

I do not support the literal practice of mortification, but my daily prayers have shown me a more spiritual interpretation. I have been praying the rosary all year, having completed 92 of my 289 devotions. Needless to say, when I pray, my mind often wanders. To keep my mind on track I give myself mental cues -- for example, if I am meditating on the crucifixion, I will say the word "crucifix" out loud before each Hail Mary. This refocuses my mind on the task at hand. Other times I will kneel and then stand up. Or cross myself. Or perform some basic act that brings my mind back out of the ether.

This is what mortification is for. To bring the mind from far away back to the present. Physically injuring one's self or inflicting pain is certainly wrong, but a physical act, or even a mild discomfort (such as praying in the cold) keeps the mind focused. There is no separating the physical from the spiritual. Mortification, taken non-literally, makes this clear.