Penance

[wrs0312]

Hello all, I went to confession for the first time after 26 years yesterday (Friday). Felt both very good and also numb during and shortly after. Today I’m not really feeling any different, just an ordinary day as if I didn’t even go. Is something wrong with me? Also, I was given penance to start fasting for one day today if I could. But was told eating little fruits, or a bowl of cereal would be OK. I don’t understand. What constitutes a fast? I had all the intentions of starting my fast today, but I woke up and knowingly drank a cup of coffee, then more telling myself the priest did not include coffee in my fasting so why not, it must be OK. I then felt guilty about it, and also decided since maybe I wasn’t supposed to drink coffee, but did I might as well eat, which I did and do penance another day. This penance seems left open to my own interpretation. I was talking with my wife about starting the fast tomorrow. Sundays are usually a big family time and meal day for us. Would God want me to share in this meal which I enjoy so much and it promotes family togetherness? Then fast on Monday when I usually eat next to nothing. Or would God want me to fast this day of family, knowing it is something I enjoy but it would pay some for my sins. Hope this makes some sense.

 

[YoungTradCath]

You’re being over-scrupulous. The priest said “one day,” not “Sunday.” That means fast on one day. There are seven to pick from. If you want to fast on Wednesday, go for it. It’s most traditional to fast on Wednesdays and/or Fridays.

If he said you can have a small meal, have a small meal. Apple and a piece of cheese or something. Thin, basic soup. Two pieces of bread. Simple, basic food, and a small amount of it. If you want coffee to be your “small meal” and nothing else, that’s fine. Although it wouldn’t hurt to perhaps have something like one piece of toast with it. When you are told to fast, with the allowance of a small meal, just use common sense. You don’t have to get worked-up about it.

 

[Padraig1972]

And please remember what Lord Jesus Christ went through for all of us. On Good friday i did not eat or drink anything for 24+2 hours. You can do it.

I will pray for you.

God bless you.

 

[LilyM]

Put it this way - you exercise out in the hot sun for hours, you sweat and get stinky. You get home and have a shower. You feel good after the shower. How do you feel the next day? Still exhilarated from the shower? Of course not.

Feelings are not really what this is about, but objective facts. You are clean from the shower, your soul is clean from confession. Until the next time you commit sin, or exercise in the hot sun.

As for your fasting, you might like to know the Church’s guidelines for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On those days we are to have one moderate meal and up to two snacks (if need be) that combined are still smaller than the moderate meal.

Beverages such as coffee aren’t included, although something heavier like a thickshake would be.

Hope this helps.

Hello all, I went to confession for the first time after 26 years yesterday (Friday). Felt both very good and also numb during and shortly after. Today I’m not really feeling any different, just an ordinary day as if I didn’t even go. Is something wrong with me? Also, I was given penance to start fasting for one day today if I could. But was told eating little fruits, or a bowl of cereal would be OK. I don’t understand. What constitutes a fast? I had all the intentions of starting my fast today, but I woke up and knowingly drank a cup of coffee, then more telling myself the priest did not include coffee in my fasting so why not, it must be OK. I then felt guilty about it, and also decided since maybe I wasn’t supposed to drink coffee, but did I might as well eat, which I did and do penance another day. This penance seems left open to my own interpretation. I was talking with my wife about starting the fast tomorrow. Sundays are usually a big family time and meal day for us. Would God want me to share in this meal which I enjoy so much and it promotes family togetherness? Then fast on Monday when I usually eat next to nothing. Or would God want me to fast this day of family, knowing it is something I enjoy but it would pay some for my sins. Hope this makes some sense.

 

[wrs0312]

Thank you all for the replies. They really helped. The analogy to the hot sun and showering really cleared some things up. I’m really not sure what over-scrupulous means and how to not fall into that trap. I think I understood somewhat but could you explain for the simple minded person who tries to turn everything complex?

 

[thistle]

Thank you all for the replies. They really helped. The analogy to the hot sun and showering really cleared some things up. I’m really not sure what over-scrupulous means and how to not fall into that trap. I think I understood somewhat but could you explain for the simple minded person who tries to turn everything complex?

Please note that you have to be medically fit to fast.

 

[Calvin_Hobbs]

Upon reading the Cathecism who could not help but be somewhat scrupulous with so many ways to reap fire and brimestone. Just take the First Commandment for example impossible to fulfill if you are humble and honest with yourself and our God.
Stop Jihad
Bruce

 

[puzzleannie]

. This penance seems left open to my own interpretation. .

because it is
fasting for you means eating less than normal, as you define it. It could also mean fasting from something you eat every day, such as coffee, soft drinks, beer etc.
In general, as with the traditional Lenten fast, it means one meal, with two smaller meals, which do not add up to one full meal, if they are needed to keep up your strength, and nothing but water between meals. You modify that according to what you can do, with the spirit of doing penance. don’t overthink it.