Mortification of the flesh...Am I understanding this right?

[Chilo]

I’m questioning whether or not I understand what mortification of the flesh actually is, because I feel like if I do, I don’t necessarily understand the spirituality behind it. I mean, I get it, Christ suffered…so we suffer. I understand fasting, I understand taking cold showers, and things like that, but what I’m talking about is self flagellation…is that viewed as an acceptable practice? I was reading about this and saw that saints have done this, and my question is…to what extent? Before I read this, I would have assumed this was at least borderline sinful. Similar to how self-harm is sinful. Do the intentions make the distinction from mortification of the flesh and self harm? I feel guilty for not “getting it” but I just can’t wrap my mind around it.

 

[straykat]

Some of the practices were misguided.

But the main point is the goal… to live with less attachment to earth and earthly concerns and earthly pleasures. One way or another, a Christian is going to have to shed their earthly attachment. Self-mortification simply means doing it sooner rather than later.

I don’t mean to be inconsiderate and introduce Eastern Orthodox teaching here, but it’s very insightful.

We didn’t aways have a doctrine of Purgatory in a very specific sense, like the modern church does. It was varied. One story I love is that of St. Gregory of Nyssa’s sister, St. Macrina, who was on her death bed, telling him not to worry about her. As she lay dying, she instructed her brother (she instructed him on everything and was his guide in general) on the afterlife and went on to explain how detaching oneself on earth eases the pain - the purging - before one reaches heaven.

She used illustrations, like a man and a house. The “house” was all of our worldly concerns and cares - and at death, this house falls on top of us! And Christ pulls us out of the rubble. The pain you’re going to feel, with all of the splinters and other objects injuring you, is proportional to how elaborate your house was. But if you built most of your treasures in heaven, and died to the world, and lived for Christ, you may feel little pain. Mary or John the Baptist would be like this, who are the greatest of saints.