Sensible suggestions

[Dark Knight]

Umm, perhaps not so easy to find scriptural support?

If something inspires a person to prayer, bringing them closer to God, why do you need "scriptural support" ? If you dont want to do penance, dont do it.


(Matthew 9:15) But the days will come, when the bride-groom will be taken away from them, and then they shall fast.

(Matthew 11:21) for if in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in you, they had long ago done penance in sackcloth and ashes.

(2 Cor. 4:10) Always bearing about in our body the mortification of jesus, that the life also of jesus may be made manifest in our bodies.

[annenquirer]

If something inspires a person to prayer, bringing them closer to God, why do you need "scriptural support" ? If you dont want to do penance, dont do it.

I should perhaps point out that I was querying a claim by nick that there is scriptural support for "corporal mortification" - a more specific term than "penance".

[Dark Knight]

Sorry, i decided to add the text to the post above.. so have posted some of it again here.

(Matthew 11:21) for if in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in you, they had long ago done penance in sackcloth and ashes.

(2 Cor. 4:10) Always bearing about in our body the mortification of jesus, that the life also of jesus may be made manifest in our bodies.

[Tobiasquest]

"So the Israelites did as they had been ordered....And every man of Israel cried out to God with great fervour, and they humbled themselves with much fasting....Their wives and their children and every resident alien.....they ALL put on sackcloth around their waists....prostrated themselves before the Lord..."
Judith 4: 8-12
"The priest who stood before the Lord and ministered to the Lord, with sackcloth around their loins...."
Judith 4:14
"Judith remained as a widow...She put sackcloth around her waist and dressed in widow's clothing. She fasted all the days of her widowhood....except the day before the sabbath and the sabbath itself ...etc"
Judith 8:4-
"Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist....."
St. Matthew 4:4
"but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified...."
I Corinthians 9:27

[Tobiasquest]

"Put on sackcloth and lament....come, pass the night in sackcloth....sanctify a fast...for the day of the Lord is near....."
Joel 1"13-15

"unless ye do penance ye shall all likewise perish...."
St Luke 13:5 (some translations render this 'repent' but it seems that true repentance according to both the example and command of Holy Scripture entails both an inward and outward expression....ie. a turning from sin...and to God and his law and outward signs of our sorrow for our sins, the most common in scripture being fasting and sackloth ...the modern equivalent being the chain or cilice...)


Having posted these my brothers and sisters...please know that I am in no way preaching at anyone (I am the chief of sinners)...but only responding with scriptural examples for the practice of penance.
Of your christian charity, if you think of me please pray for this poor soul.


"choose mortifications that don't mortify others..." St.Josemaria Escriva The Way

God bless one and all

[dominic]

One penance I haven't seen mentioned is sleeping on the floor, which many in our family who are Opus Dei (and me though I am not) do. I am committed to doing that every Friday night, on a woden floor. I hate it but it's a very good reminder for a young guy like me who has problems at night.

[Dark Knight]

Hi Dominic
that sounds tough, i admire your commitment and would love to hear more from yourself and your family on this forum.

[Bro. Paul]

I hate it but it's a very good reminder for a young guy like me who has problems at night.

I hope that you don't think that it gets any easier the older you get...

[dominic]

I hate it but it's a very good reminder for a young guy like me who has problems at night.

I hope that you don't think that it gets any easier the older you get...

I know! that's why I know that this penance is going to be with me for a long time as well...

[dominic]

Hi Dominic
that sounds tough, i admire your commitment

I don't want to give the impression I'm some sort of saint - know lots of people in my family and people I know that do this.
and would love to hear more from yourself and your family on this forum. [/quote]

Happy to talk more as I find this forum really good - like minded people. Also by PM if you want. Though I must avoid the pride thing...