Fasting and abstinence

by: Deb Domingo

Repent, and you shall return to the Lord.

While the superstition beliefs are still rampant as ever, fasting and abstinence still remain strong as ever in to the notion of the Philippines Holy Week.

For Catholics, meat are forbidden because they are the flesh and organs of mammals. Fish and any animals that have no meat taste are allowed. There are always exception if a person is ill and needing the nourishment the meat contains.

Meat are being singled out because they believed it is associated with feast and celebration since the purpose of the Holy Week is to remember the sacrifices Jesus Christ and penance. Also said that meat is “unclean” and inappropriate during Lenten Season since the first century.

Christ Himself ordered His disciples to fast once he leave. Therefore, it is believed that the general law of penance is part of the law of God for man.

There are no “substitution” in fasting and abstinence it is still obligatory during Good Friday including Lenten Fridays. Catholic Church has the obligation to ensure that Catholics will follow and do their divine general law.

Fasting is what the church defined as a one meal a day. And only 18 years old and above are required to reduce their meal eaten on a normal day. And the law of abstinence requires a 14 years old until death to abstain eating meat.

The only absolute thing about all of this is that we show a simple discipline and it builds the character of every Catholic members. Sacrifices that we do is nothing compared on how Jesus Christ have saved us! At the end of the end it our faith that we will value the most.

“The heart of holiness is love and the way we express our love is through obedience.”

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