Interior Mortifications

[Therese]

Dear Friends,

Would you please post interior mortifications that I can practice?  If possible, please post as many as you can think of.  Thank you and God bless you!

Yours in Jesus and Mary,
Therese

[Shin]

I am thinking about this question.. I wonder where exactly one divides interior mortification from exterior.. 

[Therese]

I am thinking about this question.. I wonder where exactly one divides interior mortification from exterior.. 

Interior mortifications take place within the individual and involves some sort of interior self denial like when one smiles when one is upset or when one gives up a prized possession to a poor person, or when one eats something they do not like, or drinks less than they would like to.  Exterior mortifications are manifested exteriorly like when one wears a hairshirt or makes prostrations and genuflections, or sleeps on a board.  God bless you!

[Shin]

That sounds like a good way to put it! 

[whiterockdove]

Is it an interior mortification when one has to work to keep focused when reading scripture or reciting the hours, litanies, etc.?
Or is that just developing a discipline?
Thank you, Therese

[Therese]

Is it an interior mortification when one has to work to keep focused when reading scripture or reciting the hours, litanies, etc.?
Or is that just developing a discipline?
Thank you, Therese

You are very welcome, Whiterockdove!  Whenever you deny yourself something for God it is a mortification; so it seems to me that you are not only developing a discipline when you deny yourself pleasures to keep focused on your prayers--but you are also practicing interior mortification.  Whenever you deny self-love or selfishness, which loves ease and pleasure, you have mortification.  God bless you!

[Shin]

I am not sure what to recommend my friend!

What sort of mortifications do you like already?

[Therese]

I am not sure what to recommend my friend!

What sort of mortifications do you like already?

I can't list them, but I do practice mortification.  I've been more mortified than ever since I've doubled my mental prayer time about a week ago and since I've been reading book after book in the Old Testament about how repeatedly unfaithful the Israelites were and how God had to punish them severely on account their unfaithfulness.  The Holy Ghost really can move us to penance when we read the Scriptures with the intention of growing closer to God and more faithful to Him, and fulfilling his good pleasure.  God bless you!