Lenten Obligations

02-11-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Aruldoss

Dear People of God,

Good morning! The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14. Lenten regulations are as follows:

1. Catholics who have celebrated their 14th birthday are to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, all Fridays in Lent, and Good Friday.

2. In addition to abstaining from meat, Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday, until they celebrate their 59th birthday, are to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those who are bound to this regulation may eat only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one’s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. Apart from practices the Church sets aside particular days throughout the year as special times of prayer, petition, or penance. Sick people are not bound by theses practices. It is up to their health conditions.

This is the Sunday before Ash Wednesday and Lent season. On this six ordinary Sunday, our first reading as well as gospel reading speak about the hopeless situation caused by leprosy. In the gospel, Jesus encountered a leper. Instead of avoiding or stigmatizing the leper, he touched and healed him. The humble petition of the leper touched him: “If you wish, you can make me clean.” (Mk 1:40) As a compassionate Savior and Master, Jesus responded with both words and action: “I do will it. Be made clean” (Mk 1:41), By healing the leper, Jesus makes a statement, that the leper was not excluded, but that he was equally destined for salvation. Jesus was different from the Levitical priests whose duty was to pronounce judgment, stigmatize and to isolate the leper. On the contrary, He communicated the love and mercy of God in signs that speak more than words.

We should we treat the sick, the weak, the poor, and those rejected by society with mercy, and help them as Jesus did. Through His mercy and compassion, Jesus is always ready to free us from whatever makes us unclean. The cure for spiritual leprosy is faith in in love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ our Redeemer.

Have a happy and Blessed Sunday!!