Fasting

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KellyK

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I have a question concerning fasting. I abstained from meat today, and ate very little for the first half of the day–I had some food here and there. In the evening I had a full meal. It is my understanding that we are supposed to completely fast on Good Friday, except for one meal. I tried to do this on Ash Wednesday, but I have a very physical job, and by the middle of the day I had almost fainted a few times and I had a splitting headache. I didn’t want the same thing to happen today, so I didn’t fast as much as I should have. I don’t seem to have a problem fasting if I’m at home all day with nothing to do, but when I go to my job, I find it next to impossible because of all the physical work and continuous heavy lifting that my job requires of me, and I’m afraid of fainting. I know that fasting is supposed to be a challenge, and I feel like I have sinned by eating more than I should have. I should be tougher than this, but I feel so weak. I know I will have to confess this, but I am wondering if I have to wait to receive Communion until after I have confessed this particular sin. Is it considered a mortal sin?? Thanks.
 
KellyK said:
I thought we weren’t supposed to have snacks. I thought we were only supposed to have one full meal, but no snacks or other meals. Am I right?
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Kelly, you have not committed a sin and you have nothing to confess.

Fasting allows one full meal plus two smaller meals sufficient to maintain strength. Those who do physical labor can have more food to maintain strength if necessary.

It sounds like you may have some scrupulosity going on, so you should talk to your pastor about this.
 
You might try drinking lots of water, it can help with headaches, and it makes you feel fuller. You could also try drinking some ‘substantial’ drinks like milk or snapple or something, to give you some sort of satisfying food.

On the other hand, if you get so weak you want to faint and it puts in you danger at your job, it is okay to eat a little more. Fasting is supposed to bring you closer to God and help you chastise yourself for Christ. If the observance has gotten to the point where you are not thinking about Christ with your hunger pangs but instead worry over whether or not you will collapse, it becomes legalism.

You might mention it at confession and state that you are unsure if it was a sin or not. Your priest will probably ask you about whaty ou were feeling, thinking etc when you did it, and decide from there.
 
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