25 March, Antonio, Cardinal Bacci: Meditations for Every Day

Mortification and Penance

1. In Christian teaching death is the beginning of life. “Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies,” Jesus said, “it remains alone. But if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. He who loves his life, loses it, and he who hates his life in this world keeps it unto life everlasting.” (John 12:24-25) This paradox of dying to this life in order to live in Heaven was enacted in a wonderful way in the lives of Jesus and of the Saints. It must be put into effect in our lives also if we are to be genuine Christians. Jesus shed His precious blood for us, and His death was the beginning of His triumph. The Apostles, Martyrs, and Saints gave their lives for Christ and received as their reward the happy and eternal life of Heaven. By dying to our own ego and to our passions, we shall find the true life of Christ. We must die to ourselves so that Christ may live in us as He lived in St. Paul. We must die to pride so that Christian humility may live in us; we must die to anger so that patience may live in us; we must die to lust so that purity and innocence may live in us; and we must die to selfishness so that charity may live in us.

2. Our Lord reiterates many times the command to do penance. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt. 4:17) He even insists on penance as a necessary condition for salvation. “Unless you repent, you will all perish in the same manner.” (Luke 13:3) It is a stern command, and it may even seem cruel to some. Why does the infinitely good God, who is our loving Father, wish us to impose penances and sufferings on ourselves? The answer is simple. God makes us suffer and do penance because He knows that it is necessary for our salvation. It is because He loves us and desires our welfare. Mortification and suffering are necessary for two reasons. They are particularly necessary because we are all sinners and must expiate our sins. Secondly, they are necessary because without penance and suffering we become attached to this world and forget all about Heaven, which is our real home. In His love for us, therefore, God commands us to do penance. The Saints were gluttons for penance and mortification and went as far as imposing on themselves sufferings which horrify us today. What are we doing in the way of penance? Let us remember the command of Jesus: “Unless you repent, you will all perish.” (Ibid.)

3. There are many simple acts of mortification which we can all do for our spiritual welfare. For example, we can remain silent when there is no need to speak; we can deprive ourselves of dainties at table; and we can act humbly when our pride is hurt or patiently when we think we have been offended. These are easy ways in which men of good will can practise mortification. But there are times when we must be ready, like the martyrs and the Saints, to make heroic sacrifices rather than offend God. When we are tempted, for example, we must be determined even to die rather than fall into sin. Let us think about this and strengthen our resolutions.