--from In Conversation with God
The person who abandons mortification is inevitably ensnared by his senses and becomes incapable of any supernatural thought.
Those are some really tough words--but they aren't so difficult as you might imagine if you really understand what mortification is. Mortification is the abanonment of self in the spirit of self-denial and self-sacrifice in the service of another and in the love of God. When you put up with Ms. Whiny-voice and even welcome her into your home or office, you are excerising the spirit of mortification. When you eat less of what you would like, or allow your children to have the last piece of whatever, you are in the spirit of mortification. The possibility of mortification is pervasive, we need merely reach out to touch it and take advantage of it. We mature in our faith through self-denial and little sacrifices.
Steven--
Amen. And in this you are talking about taking up one's cross.
I do not know if you were aware that Spiritual Combat is available at catholictradition.org/index under Catholic classics