Faithful told: Fast, do good, pray

CEBU, Philippines — A local diocesan priest cautions the Catholic faithful on the common misconception they think of the Lenten season, and the obligations associated to it but have been disregarded.

Father Glenn Therese Guanzon, chairperson of Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Worship, said Catholics 14 years of age and older must abstain from eating meat (chicken, pork and beef) even if they are not marked with ashes in the forehead.

Some people misunderstood that they are permitted to eat meat if they do not receive the marking of the ashes.

“I think the most common misconception among Catholics here is in the practice of putting up ashes on their forehead. They think that if priests put ash, the person is bound to abstain from meat during Lent but if no ash then they are allowed to,” he said.

Father Guanzon explained that the marking of ashes in the forehead symbolizes repentance from sins while it is in no way connected to abstaining from meat.

The latter signifies sacrifice and discipline of the body “so that one can have the strength to fight temptations especially of the flesh,” he added.

The Church law requires Catholics over the age of 14 to abstain from meat and from other food mead with meat on Ash Wednesday and all of the Fridays of Lent.

Yesterday’s Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of the customary 40-day observance of Catholics of Lent, which culminates on Easter Sunday.  During the Masses yesterday, priests place cross-shaped ashes on the forehead of attendees.

“We wear ashes in our forehead as a sign of repentance, humility and renouncing of pride. We don’t wear ashes to proclaim our holiness but to acknowledge that we sin and are in need of repentance and renewal,” Father Guanzon said.

As for Lent, it is the season of spiritual preparation for Easter, which is the greatest feast of the Church calendar as Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Father Guanzon said that during the 40-day period of Lent, Catholics are called to deepen their spiritual lives through the practice of the three main pillars of Christian life: prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

He, however, lamented that people seem to disregard these three.

He said Catholics only pray when they remember of doing it, more so, if there is a need.

He said nowadays, the faithful ignores the practice of fasting especially on Fridays of Lent and rather indulge in “fast-eating.”

On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics from age 18 until 59 are only allowed to eat one full meal for that day while the other two are smaller meals.

People also take inattention to almsgiving, Father Guanzon said, since more people are selfish with what they have than to be generous attending to the needs of others.

His advice: Exercise spiritual obligations faithfully.

“Catholics have to try hard to practice what Christ asks in the Gospel today: to do good, fast and pray.” —GAN (FREEMAN)