Did another fast - 36 hours

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I feel it helps me spiritually (and physically) each time. I feel I am getting closer and closer to the Church. I may visit a priest soon to see about having my son and I admitted into our parish and re-practicing the faith.

You guys help and opinions and information are appreciated too.

I am planning my next fast at the end of May - another 72 hour one, before the birth of our 3rd child.

 

[LilyM]

You don’t need our opinions - first and foremost you need a thorough checkup from a doctor, to make sure you’re very fit and healthy (which you need to be to do a 72-hour fast), and of your spiritual director to make sure it’s not spiritually dangerous.

Which it certainly can be, regardless of whether it makes you feel good or not.

 

[Mattjolley]

Matthew 6:

16 And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest anoint thy head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will repay thee. 19 Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust, and moth consume, and where thieves break through and steal. 20 But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal.

I think you get my point:shrug:

Matt

 

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Matt,

Hmmm. . .I only posted it here because of anonymity.

I didn’t tell anyone I was fasting because I know people react as if you were a radical. My first 72 hour fast, I only told my wife. This time, I didn’t even tell her and managed to squeeze in a lot rest and reflection. I don’t generally make it public but I can see the spirit of what you are saying. I hope you don’t think I am posting it to make anyone feel inferior as I assume you all here partake in a lot of fasting (you all seem to be a pious and reverent bunch) since it’s one of those “pillars” of Catholic faith. Just trying to reconnect with my faith.

I find the “quiet time” of a fast invigorating physically and spiritually and thought I’d share it with the religious here.

 

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But you piqued my curiousity. . .I am aware of some minor physical risks associated with fasting . . .what are the spiritual risks of fasting? I have heard “scrupolosity” as a risk. . .believe me. . .I am the furthest away from overscrupulous as one could get.

I thought (and correct me if I am wrong) that prayer, good works, and fasting were the paths to God according to the Church.

Are there spiritual risks from praying too much or engaging in too much charity? (if so. . .I have a lot of finger pointing at this forum, ha, ha ).

Seriously, I do beleive in moderation.

 

[LilyM]

Matt,

Hmmm. . .I only posted it here because of anonymity.

I didn’t tell anyone I was fasting because I know people react as if you were a radical. My first 72 hour fast, I only told my wife. This time, I didn’t even tell her and managed to squeeze in a lot rest and reflection. I don’t generally make it public but I can see the spirit of what you are saying. I hope you don’t think I am posting it to make anyone feel inferior as I assume you all here partake in a lot of fasting (you all seem to be a pious and reverent bunch) since it’s one of those “pillars” of Catholic faith. Just trying to reconnect with my faith.

I find the “quiet time” of a fast invigorating physically and spiritually and thought I’d share it with the religious here.

Admirable that you keep it quiet - must be difficult for that long a time. I hope, as I said, that you don’t keep it quiet from your doctor and confessor as well, quite the opposite.

 

[LilyM]

But you piqued my curiousity. . .I am aware of some minor physical risks associated with fasting . . .what are the spiritual risks of fasting? I have heard “scrupolosity” as a risk. . .believe me. . .I am the furthest away from overscrupulous as one could get.

I thought (and correct me if I am wrong) that prayer, good works, and fasting were the paths to God according to the Church.

Are there spiritual risks from praying too much or engaging in too much charity? (if so. . .I have a lot of finger pointing at this forum, ha, ha ).

Seriously, I do beleive in moderation.

Physical penances are a somewhat different beast from such things as prayer or charity (though even there, I suppose, if you give away so much that you can’t support your family, or neglect work or other necessary duties to spend the day in prayer, that’s wrong as well).

Oftentimes the desire to fast or physically mortify oneself can either stem from or lead to feelings of undue dislike of one’s body, a feeling that flesh is evil in and of itself - highly dangerous. Or one can develop other disorders around it (such as sexual fetishism - Catholics can fall into S & M just like anyone else)

Then there’s the temptation to undue inward spiritual pride (regardless of whether one boasts to others or not) about one’s accomplishment in terms of mortification.

 

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Lily,

Thanks for your thoughtful answer. I didn’t really think of it as “mortification” but I guess it could be. As far as self-body image, I guess I would be guilty as charged as not loving my body the best I could and engaging in vanity and pride.

I will think about all you wrote.