Will fasting work while in mortal sin?

[Oruwaith]

I am 17 years old and am in a state of mortal sin. I can’t help but feel guilty about doing anything that I enjoy. I decide to fast the things I like the most until I have confessed the sin to a priest.

Does fasting actually help the soul while in mortal sin, or is it like trying to feed a dead body?

p.s. I submitted this question to the " ask an apologist forum," but I am now thinking that it really doesn’t fall into that category of questions.

 

[passus]

It depends what you hope to gain from fasting. Fasting won’t gain you supernatural grace or any kind of indulgence. Nor will it qualify as penance for your sin. But if it aligns your mind and heart to God and reminds you of the necessity to avoid temptation and further sin, then of course it’s helpful.

You’ll want to confess mortal sin as soon as possible.

 

[ibo]

I am 17 years old and am in a state of mortal sin. I can’t help but feel guilty about doing anything that I enjoy. I decide to fast the things I like the most until I have confessed the sin to a priest.

Does fasting actually help the soul while in mortal sin, or is it like trying to feed a dead body?

p.s. I submitted this question to the " ask an apologist forum," but I am now thinking that it really doesn’t fall into that category of questions.

Boy, who told you you are in a mortal sin? God?
If it was God, OK, I accept, for He is the Only One who can judge that.
If not, who on Earth may be able to tell that?
Fast if you like.
But, if you have done something wrong, say to Jesus: “My God, forgive me my sins, please, for I love you. I will do my best to do what you want me to do, Your will be done”. Pardon my english for I am a foreigner (but He understands!!) Say this everyday for everyday’s sins before you fall asleep.
And be in peace with God for He loves you.
And whenever you’ve got a chance go to confession, as much as you can.

 

[nodito]

Boy, who told you you are in a mortal sin? God?
If it was God, OK, I accept, for He is the Only One who can judge that.
If not, who on Earth may be able to tell that?

Individuals should be able to tell when they themselves are in mortal sin. If they freely chose to commit something gravely wrong knowing that it would offend God, then can be fairly sure that they are not in a state of grace.

OP, it’s an interesting question and I’m looking forward to hearing more answers. Fasting can’t hurt, of course, and if it helps remind you not to sin and serves as a way to demonstrate your contrition to God, then it can be a very good thing.

 

[Little_One0307]

Fasting or any other good work is not meritorious when one is in a state of mortal sin. It might predispose us to receive grace, but it does not merit grace.

God bless.

 

[ZDHayden]

As others have said: fasting will not give you any graces - if you are in mortal sin, you are cut off from God’s Grace.

However, fasting should not be downplayed. It is not a penance in the liturgical sense of the word (thus, is not, unless given to you by the priest after you confess, your penance) but it is a penitential gesture.

When I am in a state of mortal sin (which happens far more frequently than I’d like, due to habits which formed years before my Confirmation, I find it difficult to pray. Fasting puts me in the state of mind to pray. One priest told me that the reason I find it difficult to pray after having sinned is because the Devil himself has drawn me down to his level and does not wish to give any soul up. Thus, we must pray more and fast more when we have sinned.

When we have sinned, nothing in our power can merit grace, but it we do not pray and fast when in sin, we easily lose sight of God. We easily can slide into a state where God is reviled.

We are in war. Each sin helps the Enemy. Fasting and prayer, however, even though - or perhaps because - we can receive nothing by doing these ourselves frightens and angers the Enemy. Prayer and fasting, when in a state of grace, is the most unselfish thing you can do. You are literally receiving NOTHING for yourself but are showing God that you do love Him - you are simply weak.

 

[Dorothy]

If you are fasting and praying to make a good confession that sounds good! I believe that shows you want to do the right thing.

 

[ahs]

Fasting, whether in mortal sin or not, is a good way to deny yourself and prepare your body and soul to receive God’s blessings. However, while you are in a state of mortal sin, it won’t diminish the nature of the sin, the state of sin you are in, or serve as any penance (as has been mentioned).

Once you go to confession though (and please do this as soon as possible), having been in a state of fasting will open the floodgates more fully for God to fill you up because you have essentially emptied yourself, as ZDHayden mentioned.

ahs

@ibo: A person is in a state of mortal sin when he/she commits a sin that is grave (serious) in nature, he/she knows that it was a sin, and commited the sin with full consent of the will. If the OP commited a grave sin with full knowledge and consent, that is how he/she knows he/she is in a state of mortal sin.

 

[Ad_Altare_Dei_1]

This is a great question. I, myself, am coming out of 2 years of separation from the church due to deep depression over my sinful habits. I never stopped believing and maintained my faith but I stopped going to confession (I was going weekly), stopped going to Mass, stopped praying the Rosary, stopped pretty much everything except that I continued to talk to God every day, but not on my knees, mostly pleadings as I went about my day and my sinful activities. The Holy Spirit prompted me to go to Mass this past Sunday and it was, I hope, a life changing event. I know I still have my sinful thoughts and habits but I feel good about picking up where I left off. I plan to go to confession tonight now that I feel I can sincerely promise to amend my life.

For the past two days I’ve been praying the Rosary to strengthen me and give me courage to make a good confession. I hope that I’m gaining some graces from the prayer. The last thing I want to believe is that I’m on a personal “high” created within my own psyche. I may be wrong, but it seems to me if you return to God like the prodigal son He will welcome you with open, loving arms and immediately help you make a full return to the church via graces.

 

[ibo]

Individuals should be able to tell when they themselves are in mortal sin. If they freely chose to commit something gravely wrong knowing that it would offend God, then can be fairly sure that they are not in a state of grace.

OP, it’s an interesting question and I’m looking forward to hearing more answers. Fasting can’t hurt, of course, and if it helps remind you not to sin and serves as a way to demonstrate your contrition to God, then it can be a very good thing.

I do not think you are right. In old times, before Vat II, it was like that. I have a friend of mine who uses to say that it was her mother who decided whether she was in mortal sin. When she did one of her childish naughty things, mother would tell her: “You sinned. You are in mortal sin. You cannot go to communion!”. Another friend of mine, practically, never goes to communion. She goes to confession, goes to communion and next time I see her, she does not go to communion. We talk vey much and I know what she feels. Practically, she thinks that she is mortal sin all the time.

I mean, it is too much. There is a teaching that says that one can never be sure if is in state of grace. So, the contrary hold true.

Moreover, it is not fasting that cures sin but helping the poor, doing good things to the others.

Rarely it is spoken about charity here. The is a big button for Chastity but none for Charity and there are people dying of hunger in Ethiopia and CAF coul collect a lot of money for the WFP, world Food Program of the United Nations.

I thinks as you this is an interesting question that deserved questioning.

Cheers:thumbsup: