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Since it is Lent, I thought that I would write about fasting. I think we should go beyond what the Church requires in some cases, but, we shouldn't run the risk of legalism.
Let me explain. In the western Church, we are only required to fast two days a year, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fast & Abstinence (thanks for updating it not to say all Catholics! Eastern Catholics don't even have Ash Wednesday)!.
Before we get started, please be sure to read my previous article, A lesson in victim blaming, and be sure to check out my latest on Locals, Why Catholics (as well as most other Christians) baptize infants Make sure you have your Bible available for this one!
Of course, we should and fast on those days that the Church requires. But, we should always being willing to go one step beyond; Madness - One Step Beyond.
That being said, I think it's very possible to become a legalist when it comes to fasting.
That being said, I think there is a difference between recognizing the Church has the authority to do something, and acting like they have to do something, steps into legalism. Ironically, this is oftentimes what the Church herself is accused of being!
I also think there is a legitimate criticism of perceived Lenten laxity. But, I think, as a compromise, the Church can encourage fasting on days that don't require it.
I think the Church already does that;Information on Fasting
On the one hand, I can see how perceived laxity might frustrate some people. But, on the other side, I feel like perceived legalism might make the Church unattractive altogether.
It's a balancing act. There is a time to feast and a time to fast.
"And they said to him, "The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink". And Jesus said to them, "Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and they will fast in those days. (Luke 5:33-35). Also see Matthew 6:16:18.
*All verses from ESV Catholic Edition with Deuterocanonical Books, Copyright 2017 by Crossway.
Adam Charles Hovey is the founder of the Catholicism, news, and whatever community, and host of the weekly Bible study, Coffee and Christianity
Adam Charles Hovey is a Catholic layman from South Carolina. You can follow him on Locals Catholicism News and Whatever, where he has the Catholicism, news, and whatever community. On Rumble, here: https://rumble.com/c/AdamCHovey, where he talks about pretty much whatever he wants, and has the Bible study "Coffee and Christianity". on Mewe, here: https://mewe.com/adamcharleshovey, and gettr: https://gettr.com/user/adamchovey
