Cheeseburger Friday! Dec 30th!

 

Solemnity of the Holy Family

This year the Feast of the Holy Family would have fallen on Sunday, January 1, but since January 1, on the modern liturgical calendar, is the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God (traditionally, it is the Feast of the Circumcision) the Marian feast takes precedence and the Solemnity of the Holy Family is moved to December 30th.  So, when it comes to this Friday - this means there is no penance! I like to call these special Fridays "Cheeseburger Fridays" - several posts have been made here on Cheeseburger Fridays. Now, before you accuse me of irreverence, I like to draw attention to Cheeseburger Fridays because it gives you yet another opportunity for an ice-breaker to discuss your faith! Those who know you likely know you offer up a penance on every Friday throughout the year - but what they may not know is that it is not EVERY Friday, for if a solemnity falls on a Friday, we are not to do penance.

This also gives me the opportunity to remind all my fellow Catholics - you are STILL required to do some sort of penance on ALL Fridays throughout the year that are not solemnities! This is not simply a Lenten tradition - it is Canon Law! Canon 1250 is the one that expressly states this and Canon 1251 is the one that tells us "unless it falls on a solemnity." Canon 1251 goes on to tell us we do not HAVE to stay with the offering up of meat on Fridays throughout the year (in Lent, it still HAS to be meat) but it needs to be something equivalent, and you cannot be hit-or-miss on it. Pick something and stick with it! For me and my house, we stick with the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays. 

Why stick with meat? 

Because 1) it is easy to remember! 2) not eating meat on Fridays USED to be synonymous with Catholicism - and ever since the requirement was modified (again, NOT eliminated) it has become less clear that Catholics still have this practice - and to be honest - many do not observe this at all anymore, but in their ignorance - they commit a mortal sin! OK, in order for it to truly be a mortal sin, you have to be aware it is a sin and choose to do it anyway... well, if you are reading this, you do not have that excuse anymore! I urge you to not merely take my word on this - research the topic, as I have, and realize and start recognizing this required Catholic tradition. Back to the count, 3) if it has to be equivalent to abstaining from meat - why struggle to find something different?! Stick with abstaining from meat!

WHY DO WE DO THIS?

Just like every Sunday is like a "little Easter," every Friday is to be thought of as a "little Good Friday." In abstaining from meat on Fridays we should think of WHY we do this - and it is to unite us, in a small way, to the Sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us on the Cross on that first Good Friday. Even on a "Cheeseburger Friday," we can think about Christ's suffering and death - and be thankful to Him for this great gift He gave to all who believe in Him.

The Solemnity of the Holy Family

The Feast of the Holy Family continues the story of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph with the flight into Egypt. It usually falls on the Sunday after Christmas. This year, though, the celebration of the Holy family falls on Friday, Dec. 30. This is because the Sunday after Christmas this year is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. (Source: Click Here). Traditionally, and still in the Extraordinary Rite, January 1st is the Circumcision of Jesus.

In JMJ,

Scott<<<

(Updated December 31, 2022)

Double Solemnities of the Sacred Heart and Nativity of St John the Baptist

Solemnities of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. John the Baptist

This Friday, June 24, 2022 – is a double-solemnity! The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Solemnity; The Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Solemnity. This is also the final "Cheeseburger Friday" of this liturgical year.

This is a great opportunity, for those of you who abstain from meat on ALL FRIDAYS of the year, not just during Lent (per Canon Law 1251) and have friends and family who are aware of your abstinence - and they see you eating a cheeseburger (or steak, or chicken, or pork, etc.) and they question you about it. "Why are you eating meat today, it's Friday!" This opens the door for you to explain the fact that this Friday is not just *A* solemnity, but a *DOUBLE* solemnity - and on *ANY* solemnity it is treated like a Sunday (all Sundays are like "little Easters") and there is no fasting or penance (like abstinence) on Sundays *OR* solemnities. As mentioned earlier, this is the final "Cheeseburger Friday" for this liturgical year.

This may also lead to the discussion of why you abstain from meat on Fridays, throughout the year. Your answer can be "Just like every Sunday is a 'little Easter' - every Friday is like a 'little Good Friday' when we remember the day our Lord died for our sins. Every time we would have had that piece of meat on a Friday, we should make a little meditation on *WHY* we are not eating meat - and it is to recall the Passion and Death of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Now, while it is true - one does not *HAVE* to abstain from meat on all Fridays - *BUT* - you *MUST* do something equivalent, be it abstaining from something else *OR* participating in one of the Corporal Works of Mercy (see below). That said, you should remain consistent in what your regular Friday penance is. Again, this is part of what is said in Canon 1251 of Canon Law (see below). This canon is still in force for all non-Eastern rite Catholics - so we are ALL obliged to obey this under the penalty of mortal sin. 

Since we all HAVE to do this and it must be something equivalent to meat - why not just stick with meat?! Having fish-fries on Fridays is like a Catholic identity! Help bring it back! Share this with your friends!

So what is different about Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent as opposed to ALL Fridays throughout the year? On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday during Lent we are to abstain from meat (and it HAS to be abstinence from meat during Lent, no alternatives) AND fast (one full meal plus two smaller snacks which, if combined, do not add up to a full meal). On the rest of the Friday of Lent and Fridays throughout the year it is only abstinence, not fasting. Again, see Canon 1251 (below).

 

 

Please add your comment(s) and SHARE!  SPREAD THE WORD!

Cheeseburger Friday!

 Yes! When a solemnity falls on a Friday, there is no penance!

Canon 1250 The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.
Canon 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

GENERAL NORMS FOR THE LITURGICAL YEAR

Chapter 1, Title 1, Section III
12. The celebration of the two greatest Solemnities, Easter and the Nativity, is extended over eight days. Each Octave is governed by its own rules.
https://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWLITYR.HTM

So, there it is! During the Octaves of the Nativity and Easter - ALL days are treated as solemnities - therefore - no penance!

Please share and/or comment below!

The Octave of Christmas

During the Octave of Christmas, the first eight days of Christmastide, each day is treated as a solemnity. So, when it comes to Friday - this means there is no penance! We like to call these special Fridays "Cheeseburger Fridays" - several posts have been made here on Cheeseburger Fridays. Now, before you accuse me of irreverence, I like to draw attention to Cheeseburger Fridays because it gives you yet another opportunity for an ice-breaker to discuss your faith! Those who know you likely know you offer up a penance on every Friday throughout the year - but what they may not know is that it is not EVERY Friday, for if a solemnity falls on a Friday, we are not to do penance.

This also gives me the opportunity to remind all my fellow Catholics - you are STILL required to do some sort of penance on ALL Fridays throughout the year that are not solemnities! This is not simply a Lenten tradition - it is Canon Law! Canon 1250 is the one that expressly states this and Canon 1251 is the one that tells us "unless it falls on a solemnity." Canon 1251 goes on to tell us we do not HAVE to stay with the offering up of meat on Fridays throughout the year (in Lent, it still HAS to be meat) but it needs to be something equivalent, and you cannot be hit-or-miss on it. Pick something and stick with it! For me and my house, we stick with the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays. 

Why stick with meat? 

Because 1) it is easy to remember! 2) not eating meat on Fridays USED to be synonymous with Catholicism - and ever since the requirement was modified (again, NOT eliminated) it has become less clear that Catholics still have this practice - and to be honest - many do not observe this at all anymore, but in their ignorance - they commit a mortal sin! OK, in order for it to truly be a mortal sin, you have to be aware it is a sin and choose to do it anyway... well, if you are reading this, you do not have that excuse anymore! I urge you to not merely take my word on this - research the topic, as I have, and realize and start recognizing this required Catholic tradition. Back to the count, 3) if it has to be equivalent to abstaining from meat - why struggle to find something different?! Stick with abstaining from meat!

WHY DO WE DO THIS?

Just like every Sunday is like a "little Easter," every Friday is to be thought of as a "little Good Friday." In abstaining from meat on Fridays we should think of WHY we do this - and it is to unite us, in a small way, to the Sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us on the Cross on that first Good Friday. Even on a "Cheeseburger Friday," we can think about Christ's suffering and death - and be thankful to Him for this great gift He gave to all who believe in Him.

In JMJ,

Scott<<<

Friday in the Octave of Easter

For the Octave of Easter (8 days following Easter) each day is considered a solemnity... therefore, today is a....

Your normal Friday penance is lifted because on a solemnity there is no fasting or abstinence!

GENERAL NORMS FOR THE LITURGICAL YEAR

Chapter 1, Title 1, Section III
12. The celebration of the two greatest Solemnities, Easter and the Nativity, is extended over eight days. Each Octave is governed by its own rules.

1983 Code of Canon Law (currently in force)

Can 1250 The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent. 
Can 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. 
Can 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

Eating Meat on a Friday

Why are you eating meat today?  It's Friday!

Well, it is Friday - but we're also within the Octave of Christmas!  The first eight days of Christmas is called the "Octave of Christmas." Christmas is one of the greatest solemnities of the Church/liturgical year, second only to Easter, and like Easter - there is an octave of solemnity days attached to it. Therefore today, Friday IS a solemnity (and so are the other seven days)!

Below is what the United States Council of Catholic Bishops states:

Christmas Season

Christmas is one of the most important days of the Church year, second only to Easter itself. It is the feast of the incarnation, the feast of God becoming flesh (the Latin "in carne" means "enfleshment"). It is a uniquely Christian teaching, the Divine choosing to become one of us. Because of this belief,God is not only Transcendent, but also wholly Immanent, Emmanuel (God-with-us). While remaining Transcendent (meaning we must rise above our present condition to reach Him), He is at the same time Immanent (meaning He is with us as we rise toward Him). Every Eucharist is like Christmas where the bread and wine are transformed into His flesh, His Body and Blood, and, in a sense, He is born anew on the altar. 

The liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts, and reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him…including the fact that he was born to die for us.

The Christmas tree and the Nativity scene are popular symbols of the season and a tradition in many Christian homes. It is also traditional to exchange Christmas gifts with family and friends as a way to honor God the Father's gift of his only son to the world. Having received the gift of Christ, we naturally want to pass that gift along to our loved ones.
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/christmas/index.cfm

GENERAL NORMS FOR THE LITURGICAL YEAR

Chapter 1, Title 1, Section III
12. The celebration of the two greatest Solemnities, Easter and the Nativity, is extended over eight days. Each Octave is governed by its own rules.
https://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWLITYR.HTM

So, that's right - you CAN have that cheeseburger today for it is a...

Cheeseburger Friday!

OK, as promised!  A little bit more notice on this one!  Friday, June 29, 2018 is the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul - and on a solemnity we do not adhere to the normal Friday penance.

What's this, a "Friday penance?" Many Catholics believe this was done away with after Vatican II, but they would be WRONG about this!  The only thing which changed is that it doesn't have to be abstinence from meat on Fridays anymore - but it still HAS to be SOMETHING offered up as a penance. You could choose to give up something else equivalent - OR - even do some act of charity, like visiting a nursing home or volunteering for a charity. It still CAN be, and in my humble opinion, SHOULD remain abstinence from meat. Why? because this was, for centuries, a Catholic identity - everyone knew Catholics abstained from meat on Fridays - which is one reason so many restaurants have fish fry's on Fridays. 

Anyway, on the 29th of June we can have that cheeseburger, or steak or not do the normal penance we would have done (and SHOULD be doing) on EVERY Friday throughout the year, not just for Lent.

Please share!

Feast of the Sacred Heart

Friday, June 8, was the Feast of the Sacred Heart - a solemnity. Usually I like to keep track of Friday solemnities because the Friday penance is not applicable on a solemnity. It also serves as a reminder to everyone that there still is a Friday penance to be observed by EVERY Catholic! Before the 1960's that penance was the same for all Catholics around the world - EVERY Friday, not just those in Lent, we were to abstain from meat. Yes, it was changed back then - but it was not removed! Every one of us MUST still observer SOME sort of penance which would be equivalent to abstaining from meat according to one's episcopal conference (like the USCCB for Catholics in the United States). My point remains - if it must be equivalent to meat - why not stick with meat?! 

Another example too of things not being so "ordinary" this time of year - and we're only to the 3rd Week After Pentecost! By the post-conciliar "counting" this was the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time, more on that in an upcoming post.

Next time I'll try to give notice in advance to a "Cheeseburger Friday!"

Another nice reason to recognize a "Cheeseburger Friday" is the fact that those who know you don't eat meat on Fridays may see you enjoying that cheeseburger, or steak, or other meat - and ask you about it. This gives you the opportunity to tell them why you abstain from meat on Fridays and why that particular Friday is different from the rest.

AMDG,
Scott<<<

Cheeseburger Friday

This Friday, December 8, 2017, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Since this day is a solemnity, the required Friday penance is waved - for there is no penance on a solemn feast day.

Wait, you say? There is no longer a requirement for abstaining from meat on Fridays, right? Well, yes and no. ALL Catholics are still bound by Canon Law to observe penance on ALL Fridays throughout the year, but it doesn't HAVE to be meat anymore. IF you're not going to abstain from meat, then you MUST give up something else equivalent -OR- do a corporal act of mercy, in accordance to what your local ecclesial authority has set forth for your jurisdiction. 

On my pulpit again...  While it doesn't HAVE to be meat that we abstain from on ALL Fridays, it still HAS to be something equivalent. For some cultures fish is more of a staple than other forms of meat, so to give up meat for them is no real penance - and while fish is an acceptable alternative, for such a culture - there is no penance at all in eating fish over beef (or pork, or chicken, etc.). Now, while our penance does not HAVE to be from meat anymore, I say WHY NOT MEAT?! Meatless Fridays have LONG been a badge of honor for Catholics - and pretty much something only Catholics did or do, so unless you have a good reason to abstain from something else, then it should still be abstinence from meat that we observe - EVERY FRIDAY... well again, not THIS Friday, due to the solemnity.

1983 Code of Canon Law (currently in force)

Can 1250 The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.
Can 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Can 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

Is It a Mortal Sin to NOT Do Penance on ALL Fridays (except when there is a solemnity on Friday)?

The answer here is quite simple - YES!  It is a mortal sin!  Now before you read this article you might be able to claim ignorance, and for it to be a mortal sin you have to first KNOW it is a sin and second, do it anyway. To knowingly and willfully reject a precept of Canon Law IS a mortal sin. Well, now you have read the article - there's no way around this - so for the sake of your own soul, if you have not been observing the Friday penance EVERY Friday, it's not too late to start - and start with meat - but again, not THIS Friday.  Enjoy a cheeseburger, or steak, or pork chops, etc. this week, but NEXT week, be sure to observe that which is REQUIRED of ALL Catholics (those over 14 and under 60).

Solemnity of St. John the Baptist, June 24

Why is it OK to eat meat today?  Because a solemnity is a high holy day, like a Sunday, and we don't do penance on such days in honor of the Risen Lord.  Some will argue that we can eat meat every Friday, except Fridays in Lent - and that is true - to a point.  The requirement for ALL Catholics to do penance on ALL Fridays throughout the year still exists and while it doesn't HAVE to be abstinence from meat, it HAS to be SOMETHING.  Some believe the "rule" was totally done away with after Vatican II, but they are wrong.  Take a look at some of the other postings we have here on abstinence to see where we have documented this - several times. 

Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Well, I like to post things relating to the calendar BEFORE they happen, but this time I'm a couple days late.  Why?  Last Friday was a solemnity - the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  This feast day always falls on a Friday - it is to be the Friday after the Octave of Corpus Christi (set by Pope Pius IX in 1856), and is always 19 days after Pentecost Sunday (or 68 days after Easter).  In 1889 it was raised to the highest rank of Double of the First Class - or in other words, a solemnity.  Even though so highly ranked, it is not a holy day of obligation in most jurisdictions.  While I am "late" for this year - let us say I am "early" for next year!

Can We Eat Meat?

Well, yes!  Being a feast which is Double of the First Class, this feast is also a solemnity - and as such there is no fasting or abstinence to take place.  Think about it, why would we "fast" or "abstain" on such a "feast day?"  Note both the current Code of Canon Law and the previous agree that such fasting and abstinence ceases "days of our Lord" or "a solemnity."

Abstinence on ALL Fridays?

Bear in mind, while the current Code of Canon Law does not absolutely require abstinence from meat on all Fridays - it still requires SOMETHING and first on the list is abstaining from meat - STILL.  Yes, you MAY offer up some other form of penance or act of charity, as set forth by your local episcopal conference (conference of bishops), but I continue my campaign of keeping the tradition of abstaining from meat.  Why do I continue to promote abstinence from meat on Fridays?  First and foremost it is part of our Catholic identity!  Secondly, why complicate things?  While you COULD choose something else, you should be consistent in what you choose, not picking and choosing from week to week what you will offer up or do for this canonically required penance - required of ALL Catholics. Back to the subject of this article... the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a solemnity, even though it falls on a Friday (every year) the rules of fasting and/or abstinence do not apply and would actually be contrary to the law of the Church to willfully fast or abstain knowing the Church has officially recognized the day as a solemnity.

1917 Code of Canon Law

Can 1252 §1. Lex solius abstinentiae servanda est singulis sextis feriis.
 §2. Lex abstinentiae simul et ieiunii servanda est feria quarta Cinerum, feriis sextis et sabbatis Quadragesimae et feriis Quatuor Temporum, pervigiliis Pentecostes, Deiparae in caelum assumptae, Omnium Sanctorum et Nativitatis Domini.
 §3. Lex solius ieiunii servanda est reliquis omnibus Quadragesimae diebus.
 §4. Diebus dominicis vel festis de praecepto lex abstinentiae, vel abstinentiae et ieiunii, vel ieiunii tantum cessat, excepto festo tempore Quadragesimae, nec pervigilia anticipantur; item cessat Sabbato Sancto post meridiem.

Can 1252 §1. Is to be observed on every Friday, the law belongs only of abstinence.
 §2. At the same time the law of abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday, the Fridays and Saturdays of Lent and of the Ember Days, the vigils of Pentecost, the Mother of God assumed into heaven, all the saints and of the Nativity of the Lord.
 §3. The only fast observed all the remaining days of Lent.
 §4. From the days of the Lord or on the feasts of obligation, law of abstinence, or of abstinence and fasting, or fasting only ceases, with the exception of the feast of the time of Lent, nor vigils anticipated; Likewise, they refrain the Holy Saturday in the afternoon.

1983 Code of Canon Law (currently in force)

Can 1250 The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

Can 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Can 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

Addendum:

The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Not to be remiss - Saturday was also the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Originally set for August 22 (set by Pope Pius XII in 1942) it was moved to the Saturday after the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Sources:
Devotion to the Sacred Heart, Catholic Encyclopedia:  http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07163a.htm
1983 Code of Canon Law:  http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P4O.HTM
1917 Code of Canon Law:  http://www.jgray.org/codes/cic17lat.html
Cross-Reference Guide:  http://www.jgray.org/codes/cross_reference_83_17.xls
Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Catholic Encyclopedia:  http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07168a.htm
About the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary:  http://www.thesacredheart.com/feastmar.htm

Circumcision of our Lord, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

The Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord

and Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Traditionally, January 1 is the Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord - the Octave Day after the Nativity of our Lord.  The Latin Rite of the Catholic Church changed this in 1960 to the celebration of the Maternity of Mary, Mother of God.  The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God initially was celebrated on October 11 (started in 1914).  In 1960 Pope John XXIII removed all mention of the circumcision from the antiphons and rubrics of January 1.  In 1969, Pope Paul VI reiterates the celebration of Mary but also mentions that it is a time to celebrate the Newborn Prince of Peace, listening to the song of the angels one more time (though the ChristMass Season lasts at least until January 6, with Epiphany - or even until February 2, with CandleMass - which is where the last mentioning of the Nativity is made for the liturgical year.

The lectionary of the Extraordinary Rite still celebrates the Circumcision of our Lord on January, 1.

This year January 1 is a Friday, which, being a solemnity we are not obliged to our Friday penance...  for those who still observe abstaining from meat, don't have to!  It's a "Cheeseburger Friday!"

On The Eighth Day of Christmas

Today is the "Octave Day" of Christmas.  It is on this day the Church traditionally celebrates the Circumcision of Our Lord.  Under the new lectionary it is now the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.  Either way, today is a holy day of obligation - so don't miss Mass today!  The modern readings for today still include the circumcision of Jesus.

Reading 1:  Num 6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses: “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.” (NAB)

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Say to Aaron and his sons: Thus shall you bless the children of Israel, and you shall say to them: The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord show his face to thee, and have mercy on thee. The Lord turn his countenance to thee, and give thee peace. And they shall invoke my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them. (DRB)

Personally, I like the wording of the DRB better, but maybe folks today do not understand what "countenance" is.  We, the Catholic Church, are the "children of Israel" for the New Testament era - Judaism is not the Church of the followers of Jesus Christ.  We are the children of God, as we see in Reading 2.

Reading 2:  Gal 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law,
to ransom those under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As proof that you are sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, “Abba, Father!”
So you are no longer a slave but a son,
and if a son then also an heir, through God.

We, the Catholic Church, are not slaves of the Law, but sons and heirs with and through Jesus Christ.

Gospel:  Luke 2:16-21
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.

And this, the Eighth Day of Christmas, is the day Jesus is formally named "Jesus!"  This the day of His circumcision.

Merry ChristMass to everyone!  Peace on Earth to men of goodwill!

 

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Today is a Holy Day of Obligation.  All practicing Catholics must attend Mass today.  The one person we honor above all others, except Jesus Christ Our Lord, is the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Today is the day that we honor her motherhood of the Divine person. 

"What the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on what it believes about Christ, and what it teaches about Mary illumines in turn its faith in Christ."  (CCC 487)

To most Catholics, this statement seems pretty clear.  Some may have heard this logic statement: If Jesus is God, and Mary is the mother of Jesus, then Mary is the Mother of God.  Everything we believe about St. Mary comes directly from what we believe about Our Lord Jesus.  Since we believe Jesus Christ to be God Incarnate, it is right to call His mother, Mother of God.  Either He is God or He isn't.  Today we celebrate the fact that Jesus was "Incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man."  (Nicene Creed)

Today's readings are:  Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67:2-3,5,6,8; and Galatians 4:4-7.

Today's Gospel is from Luke 2: 16-21:

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,

and the infant lying in the manger.

When they saw this,

they made known the message

that had been told them about this Child.

All who heard it were amazed

by what had been told them by the shepherds.

And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.

Then the shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising God

for all they had heard and seen,

just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for His circumcision,

He was named Jesus, the name given Him by the angel

before He was conceived in the womb.

 

One thing that many of the first "reformers" did agree on with the Catholic Church was honoring Mary.  These beliefs were later dropped by most of their followers.

 

"She is rightly called not only the mother of the man, but also the Mother of God ... It is certain that Mary is the Mother of the real and true God."  --Martin Luther

 

"Elizabeth called Mary Mother of the Lord, because the unity of the person in the two natures of Christ was such that she could have said that the mortal man engendered in the womb of Mary was at the same time the eternal God."  --John Calvin

 

"I esteem immensely the Mother of God, the ever chaste, immaculate Virgin Mary." --Ulrich Zwingli

There is quite a lot of evidence that the early Church called St. Mary the Mother of God and honored her as such.  Below is just a small sampling.

"After this, we receive the doctrine of the resurrection from the dead, of which Jesus Christ our Lord became the first-fruits; Who bore a Body, in truth, not in semblance, derived from Mary the mother of God in the fullness of time sojourning among the race, for the remission of sins: who was crucified and died, yet for all this suffered no diminution of His Godhead."
--Alexander of Alexandria, Epistle to Alexander, 12 (A.D. 324).

"Many, my beloved, are the true testimonies concerning Christ. The Father bears witness from heaven of His Son: the Holy Ghost bears witness, descending bodily in likeness of a dove: the Archangel Gabriel bears witness, bringing good tidings to Mary: the Virgin Mother of God bears witness: the blessed place of the manger bears witness."

--Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures, X:19 (c. A.D. 350).

 

"And the Angel on his appearance, himself confesses that he has been sent by his Lord; as Gabriel confessed in the case of Zacharias, and also in the case of Mary, bearer of God."

--Athanasius, Orations III, 14 (A.D. 362).

"To the question: 'Is Mary the bearer of Man, or the bearer of God?' we must answer: 'Of Both.'"
--Theodore of Mopsuestia, The Incarnation, 15 (ante A.D. 428).

Today we honor Mary, the Mother of God.  I close with one last quote:

"Whoever honors the Lord also honors the holy [vessel]; who instead dishonors the holy vessel also dishonors his Master. Mary herself is that holy Virgin, that is, the holy vessel"

--Epiphanius, Panarion, 78:21 (A.D. 377).

Epiphany 2012

With today being Epiphany and the Twelfth Day of Christmas, Christmas is over for many traditions.  I say "many" because some still celebrate the Holiday through Candlemas - Feb. 2nd.  

The Solemnity of the Epiphany is what we call it in the Latin Church, in the Eastern traditions it is called "Theophany" and is one of the oldest Christian feast days celebrated - and has, from the earliest dates, been celebrated on January 6th.

Originally Epiphany/Theophany actually celebrated four different feasts:  The Baptism of our Lord, the First Miracle of our Lord at Cana, The Nativity of our Lord and the arrival of the "Three Kings" or "Three Wisemen."  Eventually in the West, the celebration of the Nativity became the celebration of the Christ Mass, or Christmas, on December 25th.  In many parts of the world the tradition of giving gifts, like the Wise Men, is practiced on Epiphany.

Did I mention this is a "solemnity?"  Being that this solemnity which falls on a Friday - for all you Catholics who observe Canon Law (which should be ALL of you!) you don't have to offer up your Friday Penance (which traditionally is the abstaining from meat)!  Yes, it is STILL a mortal sin to NOT observe SOME sort of penance EVERY FRIDAY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR - EXCEPT when a solemnity falls on a Friday (just as every Sunday is a solemnity, no penance is required on solemnities).  Please see the articles I wrote on this earlier (click here or here for another one).

Solemnity of the Annunciation

Icon of the Annunciation

Today, Friday March 25, 2011 is the Feast Day of the Annunciation of our Lord - which is a solemnity.  A solemnity is the highest ranking feast in the liturgical calendar.  Essentially it is like a Sunday.  So, when a solemnity falls on a Friday during Lent, like today, we're not obliged to abstain or fast.  The Annunciation is when St. Gabriel the Archangel came to the Blessed Virgin and announced that she would be the Mother of Our Lord.

Every Friday Throughout the Year?
The above being said, I like to remind everyone that abstinence on Fridays is not just a Lenten practice!  Back in the 1960's the requirement of abstaining specifically from meat was lifted - EXCEPT during Lent, when the penitential practice of abstaining specifically from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent remains.  Now I said "specifically from meat" because we (those of proper age and circumstance) are still obliged to abstain from SOMETHING EQUIVALENT - or - do a specific act of charity as approved by our local Episcopal Conference.  My position has been and remains, if it must be something equivalent, why not stick with the tradition of abstaining from meat?  1) It's easy to remember.  2) It became synonymous with Catholicism for so many years that it's part of our identity!  Wear it proudly!  Do not be ashamed to offer up this small amount of penance for our Lord!
                          

Can We Eat Meat Today?
OK, back to the subject at hand...  TODAY you can enjoy that hamburger without guilt!  Hey, if you're going to have some beef - why not make it a prime rib or filet mignon?!  And don't worry - St. Gabriel is on your side!  This only happens about once every seven years - so celebrate it!  And when your friends ask you why you're eating meat on a Friday in Lent - it can be an ice-breaker to discuss the Solemnity of the Annunciation and the whole topic of abstinence and the proper observation of it.  You know, many of your Catholic friends may not even be aware of these facts - so help educate them!

And so you know this is not just "me" speaking, here's the pertinent Canon Law on the matter (emphasis mine):

Can. 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Make note, this also supports what I said about ALL FRIDAYS too, not JUST Fridays of Lent!
 
Always Be Prepared To Give An Answer!
I would also throw a bit of caution to the wind...  be prepared to answer for yourself too!  In the spirit of 1 Peter 3:15-17, always be ready to give an answer!  If you're eating meat today and someone asks and you do not explain yourself, that could be scandalous - which would be sinful.  Be ready to answer, and answer with charity.
 

In JMJ,

Scott<<<