Rev. Fr. David Okolie
Dearest friends, there is no doubt that while Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season, GOOD FRIDAY is the high point of the season.
Within the Lenten Season, we acknowledge that we are SINNERS and it is because of our SINS that our Lord Jesus Christ came, suffered and died.
The prophet Joel invites us for deep and sincere expressions of REMORSE and REPENTANCE over our sins, thus: “Even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning… Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast…” (cf. Joel 2:12-18).
Thus, If the above expressions of remorse and repentance INCLUDE fasting, and putting on mourning clothes, then, they would also necessarily include ABSTINENCE from MEAT; (or any other favourite dish or drink or smoking, as provided by the CBCN). Do you know why?
MEAT, together with the above, is a sign of merriment/enjoyment.
👉🏼How then can we possibly say that we are remorseful and repentant of our sins and at the same time ENJOYING ourselves? Can’t you see that the two are contradictory and capable of causing SCANDAL (i.e, making others think that we are simply joking). This explains why St. Paul warns thus: ,“It is better not to eat MEAT or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall” (cf. Rom 14:21).
Again, it is important to note that the Religious Law to abstain from MEAT is not just only for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday but also for EVERY FRIDAY. I am sure that some of us here may be hearing this for the first time. However, it is part and parcel of our Catholic Faith and the reason is to always keep us conscious of the PASSION of our Lord Jesus Christ, to ask God for forgiveness and also to keep our bodily desires disciplined. This is where the above law of abstinence from MEAT is contained in the CANON LAW:
“Abstinence from MEAT, or from some other food as determined by the Bishops’ Conference, is to be observed on ALL FRIDAYS, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and GOOD FRIDAY” (cf. Can. 1251).
👉🏼Remember that it is only a SINCERE LENTEN OBSERVANCE that brings TRUE EASTER JOY.
I wish you a GRACE-FILLED Holy Week!
Remain blessed🙏🏼
