Holy Day Of Obligation

New York archbishop wonders: resume meatless-Friday obligation?

It is unsettling. You never know what Archbishop Dolan will talk about but I've come to expect whatever he says will have a short shelf life. He gives us no tools of engagement - no way to grace. A few months ago he spoke about abortion in NY. Then he was gone. Gay marriage in NY. He talked to the Governor. It passed. Then he was gone. Is it that he is too careful or perhaps tentative? He needs our prayers. As do I.

Yes, for spiritual, ecological, economic, and health reasons. When you seek 1st the kingdom... Many Hindus & Catholics in India fast once a week for spiritual reasons. They not only abstain from meat, but also skip breakfast, and eat a very light lunch, then regular dinner. Even when they eat meat, for most it is much smaller amounts than ours. Our uncle Catholic parish priest there was a vegetarian...we'd have to cajole him to eat some fish (considered meat, not for Friday abstinence).

Learning the Faith: Are Holy Days of Obligation Man Made Religious ...

Obviously, he makes a very good point.  We should treat every day as a gift from our Creator, and therefore should regard it as Holy.  However, the comment regarding a man-made religion made me question if, in fact, Holy Days of Obligation are a man-made tradition.  So....are they part of a man-made tradition?  Before I answer that question I think we have to first understand what a man-made traditions are.   If you have been a Catholic for more than ten minutes and if you have engaged in any kind of religious conversation with Protestants, sooner or later, they are going to bring up this concept of a man-made tradition.  What are man-made traditions?  Or better known as traditions of men?  It is a direct reference to Scripture.  In Mark 7:1-13 we witness an exchange between the Pharisees and Jesus Christ where Jesus ultimately tells the Pharisees: Jesus is saying that instead of following God, they are following the teachings of men.  The Pharisees are holding their own practices and beliefs higher than God's.  This is ultimately the same accusation that Protestants make against the Catholic Church  They are basically saying that we are holding to the traditions of man instead of the Teachings of God.  While many Protestants may not realize it, this is a complete insult against the Catholic Faith. Do you not think so?  Maybe you think I am taking this statement too much to heart.  If you think so, then I welcome you to try a little experiment.  Next time you are in a conversation with a Protestant friend, and they mention to you something along the lines of their church has asked every member to fast on a certain day, or devote themselves to prayer for a certain hour of the week, just respond to them in the same fashion.  Say something along the lines of, "I am not going to follow any man-made tradition.  Every day should be dedicated for prayer".  Do you think that they will be offended?  I am sure they would. Are Holy Days of Obligation a man-made tradition?  Of course not.  How do I know this?  Because Jesus Christ told me Himself that he was going to create a Church, and of that Church, the Gates of Hell would never prevail.  Jesus also said that he was going to give that Church the Holy Spirit to lead into all areas of truth.

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