Do More
“Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget. Do more than dream: work.” ~
The holy season of Lent begins tomorrow, Wednesday, March 2nd. The season is given to us so that we might look deep within and see what it is that we must change in order to draw closer to God. Many people begin the season by going to Mass, even though it is not a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses on Ash Wednesday, March 2nd, at St. Thomas More will be the same as any year: 6:30 and 9:00 a.m. as well as 5:00 and 7:00 p.m.
There are several ways to observe the penitential season of Lent. Some people give things up. Others add positive action to help others. Still others read scripture of religious literature. And there are those who set aside extra time each day to pray. Whatever it be, try to choose something to do this season.
THE LAWS OF FAST & ABSTINENCE – Don’t forget, Ash Wednesday begins the Season of Lent. Ash Wednesday is a Day of Fast and Abstinence. The Fridays of Lent are Days of Abstinence. Good Friday is a Day of Fast and Abstinence.
Fast: Allows for only one full meal to be taken during the day. Two smaller meals are permitted, if necessary, to maintain strength according to one’s needs. Eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. Fasting is to be observed by all Catholics who are 18 years of age through to those who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday. [Medical conditions may make it impossible to fast. The Church has never held its people to the impossible. If you have a condition that prohibits you from fasting, you are not obliged to do so.]
Abstinence: The practice of refraining from meat and meat products. Abstinence is to be practiced by all who are 14 years of age and older.
THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW VS.THE LETTER OF THE LAW – There are many people who have asked me, over the years, if they are possibly excused from the laws of fast and abstinence. Well, technically, there are age groups to whom the law applies. You don’t have to fast until you are 18 or over 59. You don’t have to abstain until you are 14. However, the spirit of the law invites people of all ages to uphold the requirements of fast and abstinence unless there is a physical/medical reason that you cannot do so.
The same holds for Sundays. People will say, quite correctly, that Sundays are not part of Lent. They are separate feasts unto themselves and, therefore, if you have given something up for Lent you can have it on Sunday. While that might be true, the spirit of the season calls for penance each day from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.
Don’t fulfill the obligations of Lent because you have to. Instead, embrace the obligations of Lent out of a deep desire to grow closer to God. If you approach Lent in that manner, the season will be much more fruitful and you will find yourself deepening your relationship with the Lord day by day.
FAITH ACTION: Decide what you want to do this Lent and make a plan to carry your decision(s) out.