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Outward
sign
Off the
Wall
February
19, 2009
In less than a week, Ash Wednesday will mark the
beginning of Lent for 2009. Christians all over the world will
be attending Mass on Wednesday, February 25, to take part in
the annual tradition of receiving ashes on their foreheads in
shape of a cross. This outward sign serves to remind us all that
we are sinners and have need for penance. The ashes also symbolize
our mortality, a reminder that one day we will die and our bodies
will return to dust.
According to the American Catholic website, "The
tradition of receiving ashes has its origins in the Old Testament,
where sinners performed acts of public penance. "It also
mentioned this holy day of obligation is marked by abstinence
and fasting for Catholics. "Catholics older than the age
of 14 are supposed to abstain from meat. In addition, those between
the ages of 18 and 59, not including pregnant or nursing mothers,
should eat only one full meal. Smaller amounts of food
not as much as a full meal may be eaten in the morning
and either at lunchtime or dinner, depending on when you eat
your full meal," it explained. With the above being said,
I began thinking and something hit me. If Ash Wednesday is supposed
to be a day of fasting and abstinence, then why are Catholics
permitted to eat on full meal a day?
I contacted Reverend Michael Sikon from the Diocese
of Greensburg, a priest whom has been most helpful to me in the
past. He told me, "You are correct that the current discipline
of the Church states that those between 18-59 are obliged to
fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting is further defined
as one meal. This specific definition of "Fast" was
codified with the 1917 Code of Canon Law."
Continuing on, he emphasized, "For those who
strictly interpret the word, in the Church's usage, to fast means
to 'restrict' one's intake of food. That is most likely the practice
that was understood in biblical time. Thus, fasting means a form
of penance."
Here is one aspect of which I was unfamiliar. Sikon
pointed out, "While the Church permits of food during a
fast, it does not require that one do so. It does depend upon
the spirit with which the discipline is embraced." He went
on by adding, "Undoubtedly, the Church's practice changed
over time because the discipline no longer brought about the
intended affect. As a penitential practice it serves to attune
us to the presence of God in our lives and in our world. It makes
us grow in appreciation of God's goodness and the abundance of
his gifts. It promotes greater awareness of our brothers and
sisters in need, and prompts our ready response. These spiritual
disciplines are difficult or impossible to mandate. Among a small,
intentional community, there might be a shared awareness of such
matters. But, to instill among millions, such an understanding
is difficult; perhaps impossible. Most likely the practice was
reformed because people no longer were able to make those connections.
Fasting was no long a means to an end, but had become an end
in and of itself," he said.
In the 1966 Apostolic Constitution of Pope Paul
VI, Paenitemini, he allowed that fasting and abstinence also
be substituted with prayer and works of charity. As former Director
of Evangelization of Holy Family Church, Latrobe, Christopher
Cuddy noted, "Fasting is to be done in a spirit of charity.
Thus, the Church understands that although it is a day of fasting
and abstinence, the food is not the primary thing. It is about
the heart. In short, the Church (as always) gives gentle restrictions
and prescriptions for our behavior (things we really have to
do), but it also leaves enough room for us to make whatever we
do an act of love." Now that is good wisdom for this Lenten
season.
Paul J. Volkmann
Written: January 13, 2009
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