Just One More Day of Penance!

As I was looking online for resources about the fasting laws, I came across some good information on the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  It pertains to Holy Saturday:

If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection.  Source: USCCB: Fast & Abstinence

So, if I am reading this right, we should continue to abstain from meat today and try to fast by limiting ourselves to one full meal again. “IF POSSIBLE.”  Well, I’m going to give it a shot.  It’s just one more day.

 Let us be able to say with St. Paul:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2Tm. 4:7).

other Scriptures for meditation:

  • “24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; 27but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified,” (1Cor. 9:24–27).

 

  • “11 But as for you, man of God, shun all this; aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses,” (1 Tm.6:11–12).

 

  • “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming.f 7In these you once walked, when you lived in them. 8But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his practices 10and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his creator,”(Col. 3: 1–10).

One thought on “Just One More Day of Penance!

  1. mary

    A reader calling herself “Mary” posted the following comment. I agree with her that action is necessary to put a stop to these heretical activities happening right in our own backyard. The diocese should not be allowing these things to take place. Please call the bishop’s office at the number listed below and voice your concern!

    FROM “MARY”:

    ACTION NEEDED!
    Please call the office of the Bishop and respectfully ask him to stop this.
    main number Catholic Center 919-821-9700 ask for Sara Edwards

    Fr. James Martin, S.J. Speaking in Raleigh April 7

    Fr. James Martin, S.J. will be speaking at St. Francis parish on April 7th regarding his new book Building A Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter a Relationship of Respect, Compassion and Sensitivity. The gathering will be held in the Founder’s Room with registration and refreshments at 9:30 AM, presentation at 10 AM followed by Q&A. St. Francis Parish 11401 Leesville Rd. Raleigh 27613
    ——————————————————————-
    Fr. Martin Skyped with this group at Saint Francis in September 2017, Bishop Zarama, according to Father Martin, wrote him a welcoming letter. Fr. Martin also Skyped at Saint Andrew’s, Apex and a letter from the bishop was said to have been read.

    James Martin, SJ @JamesMartinSJ.Sept16
    About to Skype with St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Raleigh, NC, beginning with a kind letter from the bishop. Talking about LGBT Catholics.

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