Enough from our Modern-Day Catholic Pharisees!

I think its so interesting on how many modern-day Catholic Pharisees we have today in the Church that love to point out their personal piety (as if it were law) on what Catholics should or should not do on about every topic you can think of in the Church today as well as what one should be doing on Fridays not just during Lent but throughout the year. Now, to be fair and honest there was a time in our Church that every Friday was a day of abstinence; oddly enough it still is today but with a caveat which I will explain later. I also especially like (well, not really) on how they always have to emphasis the Novus Odor as I can only presume most if not all of these Catholic Pharisees disavow as a legitimate Mass. But that’s another topic.

Now let me clarify what I mean by “modern-day” Catholic Pharisees. Pharisees did what exactly? In the most simplistic explanation, Pharisees believed it was the duty of all true Israelites (now insert Catholic) consisted in wholehearted devotion to the Law, and to uphold all observances which their numerous traditions had engrafted upon it, joined to a patient waiting for the expected manifestation of the Divine Will. Now our modern-day Catholic Pharisees discredit pretty much everything Vatican II. Sounds rather familiar to the Jewish Pharisee.

I read an article today on this platform and I just have to respond with clarity and charity to the author who unfortunately is misinformed and unfortunately is not showing any obedience to her bishop and other bishops to include the Magisterium. I do want to point out that one should reference all applicable material when you make or present a claim as factual, especially if you are attempting to educate others. In this particuar case, for Friday Abstinence.

First though, lets begin with an obligation of our laity/clergy and their obedience to our Bishops. Our Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that you must follow bishops as you would follow Christ (862, 896) because he has supreme authority over his church (diocese) (883), to teach the true faith (939). Laity have this obligation UNLESS the teaching is immoral unethical or illegal; which fortunately for us the debate on the continual Friday Abstinence is not illegal, immoral or unethical.

For example the specific sections of the catechism that teach us about our Bishops are:

CCC 862, “Just as the office which the Lord confided to Peter alone, as first of the apostles, destined to be transmitted to his successors, is a permanent one, so also endures the office, which the apostles received, of shepherding the Church, a charge destined to be exercised without interruption by the sacred order of bishops.” Hence the Church teaches that “the bishops have by divine institution taken the place of the apostles as pastors of the Church, in such wise that whoever listens to them is listening to Christ and whoever despises them despises Christ and him who sent Christ.”

CCC 883, “The college or body of bishops has no authority unless united with the Roman Pontiff, Peter’s successor, as its head.” As such, this college has “supreme and full authority over the universal Church; but this power cannot be exercised without the agreement of the Roman Pontiff.”

CCC 896, “Let all follow the bishop, as Jesus Christ follows his Father, and the college of presbyters as the apostles; respect the deacons as you do God’s law. Let no one do anything concerning the Church in separation from the bishop.”

CCC 939, “Helped by the priests, their co-workers, and by the deacons, the bishops have the duty of authentically teaching the faith, celebrating divine worship, above all the Eucharist, and guiding their Churches as true pastors. Their responsibility also includes concern for all the Churches, with and under the Pope.”

Why do I bring this up? One of the many beautiful aspects of our Church is we have the Apostolic line of succession and we have Sacred Traditions and traditions. As such, we have an obligation to listen to them, the bishops.

In 1966, following the Second Vatican Council, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) in the United States issued a significant document concerning the practice of Friday abstinence. This document, titled "Penitential Practices for Today’s Catholics", marked a shift in the Church's approach to fasting and penance. The NCCB recognized that the traditional practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays was becoming difficult for many to observe, especially in an increasingly secular society.

The document clarified that, while the obligation to abstain from meat on Fridays was still in effect, the rule was relaxed. Catholics were allowed to substitute other forms of penance, including acts of charity, prayer, or other personal sacrifices. The key change was the relaxation of the specific obligation to abstain from meat, allowing for greater flexibility in how Catholics observed the penitential nature of Friday.

The 1966 NCCB document noted that Catholics could still observe Friday as a day of penance and sacrifice, but they were no longer bound strictly to the practice of abstaining from meat. The document specifically stated:

• Catholics are no longer required to abstain from meat on Fridays, but they must still observe the day as one of penance.
• The penance could take the form of prayer, fasting, or acts of charity (such as helping the poor or performing other works of mercy).
• The document also encouraged Catholics to continue the tradition of Friday abstinence if they chose, but it cautioned against judging others who substituted charity or other forms of penance.
• This marked a significant shift in the Church's approach to penance, allowing for greater freedom and personal choice in how to fulfill the Friday penance obligation.

The relaxation reflected a broader trend in the post-Vatican II Church, which sought to update and modernize certain practices to better meet the spiritual needs of contemporary Catholics.

In recent years, the Catholic Church has continued to emphasize that Friday should be a day of penance in remembrance of Christ’s Passion. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), in various pastoral letters and documents, has continued to advocate for Friday penance but has left it to individuals and dioceses to determine how best to observe it. Some dioceses still recommend abstaining from meat, while others leave the decision up to the individual, promoting the idea of charitable acts or other forms of penance.

Also in the article I read the author referenced Code of Canon Law. However, I’m not sure she used the current 1983 version which clearly states for Days of Penance:

Can. 1249 The divine law binds all the Christian faithful to do penance each in his or her own way. In order for all to be united among themselves by some common observance of penance, however, penitential days are prescribed on which the Christian faithful devote themselves in a special way to prayer, perform works of piety and charity, and deny themselves by fulfilling their own obligations more faithfully and especially by observing fast and abstinence, according to the norm of the following canons.

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.

Can. 1253 The conference of bishops can determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence as well as substitute other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety, in whole or in part, for abstinence and fast.

If you read what the Bishop’s wrote in 1966 and read the Code of Canon Law 1983 above you can clearly understand that Friday’s are day’s of PENANCE which one can fast and abstain from meat or they can do another form of PENANCE in acts of charity (which our society needs desperately).

The great saints of our Church often teach that no single form of penance is superior to another, but that the effectiveness of penance depends on the spirit in which it is undertaken.

• Saint Augustine stresses the inner attitude of the heart as being key to penance, whether through fasting, almsgiving, or prayer.
• Saint Teresa of Ávila emphasizes the spiritual humility that accompanies any form of penance.
• Saint John Chrysostom elevates almsgiving as the highest form of penance, especially for those who may not be able to physically fast.
• Saint Benedict highlights that penance must be regular and sustained, integrated into one's daily life.
• Saint Francis of Assisi focuses on simplicity and humility through external penances, such as fasting or embracing poverty.

I just have to do this even though it usually drives me crazy when people say it; “What would Jesus do?” Jesus' teachings emphasized love, mercy, and charity, as well as the importance of penance and repentance. For example:

Matthew 9:13 – Jesus says, "Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

In this passage, Jesus emphasizes mercy over mere ritual sacrifice. This suggests that acts of charity and mercy, which help the needy, are of paramount importance.

Matthew 25:31-46 – In the parable of the Sheep and the Goats, Jesus speaks about feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, and caring for the sick and imprisoned, saying that whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

These passages clearly point to works of charity as a critical element of living a Christian life. Jesus teaches that acts of charity are integral to salvation and demonstrate a person’s love for God and neighbor. Thus, Jesus' teachings point to the centrality of charity and mercy as expressions of love for God and neighbor, which could make works of charity seem like a more essential form of penance compared to merely abstaining from meat.

Both abstinence from meat and works of charity are valid and meaningful forms of penance, but works of charity are seen as particularly central in the teachings of Jesus and in the lives of the saints. Charity is a holistic penance, encompassing not just personal sacrifice but also the direct service of others, which mirrors Christ’s own ministry on earth.

Thus, for Catholics today, especially in light of the 1966 U.S. Bishops' guidelines, works of charity may be seen as more proper, as they align more closely with the central gospel message of love, mercy, and service to others. However, the Church also allows for a personal discernment of penance, meaning abstaining from meat remains a legitimate, traditional form of penance for those who find it spiritually beneficial. Ultimately, the most important aspect of either practice is the intention behind it—a heart that seeks to grow in love for God and neighbor.

Why did I write this? I wrote this to correct a misguided teaching on Friday Fast and Abstinence. Bottom line, if you want to abstain from meat on Friday’s as your penance you are more than welcomed too. If you would rather perform one of the Corporal or Spiritual Works of Mercy as your penance, again you are more than welcomed too as well. Either works.

From what I’ve read in Scripture and from what I have read from some of the greatest saints known to us, the greatest meaning for us as Catholics is to uphold Fridays as a day of penance. Thankfully, the Bishops have discerned that meat although at one time was considered a luxury is now very routine. What benefit do you gain by simply giving up something you will enjoy the next day? Whereas, what benefit will you gain by performing an act of charity for the poor among us, or the imprisoned, or instructing the ignorant on the true teachings of Jesus and his Church and not expect anything in return? Now there, that is something we all should be striving for. I think a better illustration is from Luke 6:38 “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” As for judging bishops and their decisions as somehow “false” due to your own piety, Luke 6:40-42 comes to mind “No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”

With all of that; my brothers and sisters, IF you choose to abstain from meat on Fridays as your penance that is wonderful. IF you choose to perform a work of charity as your penance again that is wonderful. Either way, perform these acts out of Love for God and for no other reason.

God Bless.