Why Fast...?
Among other things, Christ also came to found a church. To this Church, Jesus gave his authority. This authority was given to guarantee that his words and his teachings be lived out and passed on faithfully without error for all ages to come. It was also given so that souls would be led to heaven. Basically, to continue the work which Jesus Christ had began.
What follows is part of the teachings of this Church. They are called the “precepts of the Church.” That is, those things which every baptized Catholic MUST do!
1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.
2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
3. You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter season.
4. You shall keep holy the holy days of obligation.
5. You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.
6. The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his abilities.
These are things that every Catholic MUST do! But, oh how we hate being told what to do. Don’t you hate that? I mean, it’s bad enough that we have 10 Commandments to keep, and let’s not talk about the seemingly impossible teachings of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to try and live out. Now, these church precepts? No, fair! Why?
You see now, ever good question deserves a good answer, and this question of ‘Why MUST we obey and live out these precepts’ is a really good question. Praise God that its also a simple answer. You see, these precepts are positive laws. (As are all other laws given by God). They are for our benefit and spiritual good. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states it this was:
CCC 2041
The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the indispensable minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor.
These precepts guarantee that we are doing at least the minimum in growing in our relationship with God.
Once again, the MINIMUM! And yet this bare minimum is hardly kept by most Catholics, ever those professing good standing. Pray brothers and sisters, pray.
With regards to the title of this post, just look back to precept #5.
Anyways, told you it was simple.
In the Lamb – George
What follows is part of the teachings of this Church. They are called the “precepts of the Church.” That is, those things which every baptized Catholic MUST do!
1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.
2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
3. You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter season.
4. You shall keep holy the holy days of obligation.
5. You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.
6. The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his abilities.
These are things that every Catholic MUST do! But, oh how we hate being told what to do. Don’t you hate that? I mean, it’s bad enough that we have 10 Commandments to keep, and let’s not talk about the seemingly impossible teachings of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to try and live out. Now, these church precepts? No, fair! Why?
You see now, ever good question deserves a good answer, and this question of ‘Why MUST we obey and live out these precepts’ is a really good question. Praise God that its also a simple answer. You see, these precepts are positive laws. (As are all other laws given by God). They are for our benefit and spiritual good. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states it this was:
CCC 2041
The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the indispensable minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor.
These precepts guarantee that we are doing at least the minimum in growing in our relationship with God.
Once again, the MINIMUM! And yet this bare minimum is hardly kept by most Catholics, ever those professing good standing. Pray brothers and sisters, pray.
With regards to the title of this post, just look back to precept #5.
Anyways, told you it was simple.
In the Lamb – George
posted by Arthanius | 2:58 PM
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