Asceticism

ASCETICISM

Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB

            Asceticism, to a large extent, is largely tied up with mortification. The only difference between them is that mortification is on a small scale while asceticism is done on a large scale. Asceticism used to be a common feature among the early Christians, especially if they felt that they were not living proper lives.

            Can we have asceticism today? Yes, we can have but not in a way we normally understand. Our little strives, difficulties, problems and temptations pout together is more than sufficient to make up for asceticism. However, our attitude matters a lot in this regard. We need to have ‘the eyes’ to see and make the best of such experiences that come our way else asceticism would become just ‘useless suffering.’


            Finally, we should never forget that salvation is not largely dependent on us but in God. It is He who brings us close to Himself as St. Irenaeus would say, “It is not thou that shapest God; it is God that shapest thee. If then, thou art the work of God, await the hand of the Artist, who does all things in due season. Offer Him thy heart soft and tractable and keep the form in which the Artist has fashioned thee. Let thy clay be moist, lest thou grow hard and lose the imprint of His fingers.” 

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