My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are six (6) Commandments of the Church treated in three (3) articles of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2041–2043. The following is a reflection on the fifth commandment “Observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.”
Canon 1251 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law promulgated by Saint John Paul II specifies days of fast and abstinence. We are to abstain from meat or some other food as determined by the Bishop’s conference on all Fridays of the year, especially during Lent, unless a Solemnity should fall on a Friday. Both abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday beginning Lent and Good Friday, commemorating the Passion of the Lord. Days of fast and abstinence allow for both moral discipline as well as opportunities for generosity. Monies not spent on one’s own food may be given to feed the needy poor.
Asceticism and penance prepare us for the liturgical feasts. We see the Lord Jesus Himself fasting in Sacred Scripture for forty days at the beginning of His public ministry (Matthew 4:2) as well as teaching about fasting, how we are not to look glum nor be gluttons or drunkards (cf. Matthew 6:16; 9:14; Mark 2:19–20; Luke 5:34–35; 18:12).
Asceticism and penance help us to acquire mastery over our instincts. Our physiological hunger should heighten our spiritual hunger, satisfied especially by the Holy Eucharist and the Word of God. Many of the Saints teach us about the importance of fasting. Saint Justin Martyr (+165) reminds us of the importance of prayer and fasting in connection with the remission of sins (First Apology, 61). Saint Basil the Great (+379) warns against abstaining from wine but indulging in outrages, and how we should abstain from anger, desires, slander, falsehoods and perjuries (On Fasting PG 30:164–184). Saint John Chrysostom (+407) teaches us to fast not only with our mouth, but also with our eyes and ears, feet and hands so as to be pure from avarice (On the Priesthood: Ascetic Treatises: Select Homilies and Letters: Homilies on the Statues, III:8:11). Saint Jerome (+420) warns us to be on guard when we begin to mortify our bodies by abstinence and fasting let we imagine ourselves to be perfect and holy, since fasting is only a help, a disposition, a means for the attainment of true perfection “(Letter to Celantia”). Saint Augustine (+430) instructs us that fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects our flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust, and kindles the true light of chastity, permitting us to enter again into ourselves (On Prayer and Fasting).
Asceticism and penance give us freedom of heart. In mastering our physiological desires we are more free to live for God and for others. It is not a sin to have a good meal, of course, but we are not called to be epicurians.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr