Celebrating 35 Years of Marriage: The Power of Spiritual Fasting

Marriage is a journey of love, sacrifice, and faith. If you haven’t listened to last week’s episode, I encourage you to go back and check it out because it sets the foundation for this week’s discussion.

Inviting the Lord Under Your Cross

One of the most powerful realizations we’ve had in our marriage is that we can’t do it alone. The world tells us to avoid suffering, to seek comfort at all costs, and to carry our burdens alone. But as Catholics, we know that holiness comes through suffering, learning comes through adversity, and true joy comes through humility.

Jesus is always knocking at the door of our hearts. He wants to carry the burdens we think we must shoulder alone. Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” The Lord wants to dine with us – to nourish us in ways that go beyond physical food. Are we ready to let Him in?

The Role of Spiritual Fasting in Marriage

Over the past four years, I’ve been praying and fasting for my husband, Mike. This Lent, we’ve taken on a new challenge together – giving up sugar, flour, and alcohol. We’ve committed to Sacrificial Saturdays – gathering with other Catholic couples for games and fellowship instead of indulging in food and drinks. Not everyone is on board with this lifestyle, but we’ve seen incredible spiritual and relational growth because of it.

By fasting, we are not just practicing self-denial; we are allowing Christ to nourish us in a way that worldly comforts never could. The beauty of fasting is that it doesn’t just change us—it changes those around us, too. I’ve seen firsthand how my sacrifices have impacted Mike’s faith journey, and now, for the first time, he is embracing fasting in a way he never thought possible. What once seemed like an impossible sacrifice has become an offering of love and devotion.

The Connection Between Body, Soul, and Marriage

We are body-soul composites. Science and faith tell us that our actions and thoughts shape our relationships and spiritual growth. St. Thomas Aquinas taught that while all living things have souls, only humans have the ability to think about their thinking. That means we can examine our actions, our emotions, and our faith – and change them when needed.

When we fast, we bring our whole selves into alignment with Christ. We begin to understand why we overeat, why we overdrink, and why we turn to temporary pleasures instead of God’s eternal love. Through fasting and prayer, we learn to embrace our weaknesses and invite God to heal them.

Seeing God in the Small Things

I’ve learned that God is not just present in the big moments of our marriage, but in the small, seemingly insignificant ones, too. Whether it’s a delayed flight, a bruised knee from an airport fall, or a quiet Saturday night without alcohol, He is in all of it. He cares about every detail of our lives, and He wants to be a part of it all.

From Fear to Fortitude, From Anger to Compassion

Spiritual fasting is about transformation. As we give up our worldly attachments, we allow Christ to work in our hearts, replacing fear with fortitude and anger with compassion. When we learn to be gentle with ourselves, we become more patient and loving with our spouses. Marriage is a journey, and it requires constant renewal. That’s why we live by the motto Nunc Coepi! – a Latin phrase meaning Now I Begin! We begin again, and again, and again – with God’s grace guiding us every step of the way.

The Call to Love and Serve Our Spouses

Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” What we speak over our marriages matters. If we approach our spouses with love, compassion, and selflessness – regardless of how they respond – we begin to create an environment where love flourishes. The best life is a life lived for others, especially for our spouses.

This Lent, I challenge you to embrace spiritual fasting – not just for yourself, but for your marriage. Give up what is holding you back and allow God to nourish your soul. Whether it’s sugar, alcohol, or unhealthy habits, surrender it to the Lord and watch Him work in ways you never imagined.

Keep Persevering!

If you haven’t started fasting yet, start now. It’s never too late. Your sacrifices will bear fruit in ways you never expected. Keep talking to your husband lovingly, keep praying for him, and keep pressing into your faith.

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