Fasting and Abstinence

The law of abstinence 'prohibits eating the flesh, marrow and blood products of such animals and birds as constitute flesh meat'.  Why?  St. Augustine said in his sermon on prayer and fasting, “Abstinence purifies the soul, elevates the mind, subordinates the flesh to the spirit, begets a humble and contrite heart, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, extinguishes the fire of lust, and enkindles the true light of chastity.”  The purpose of the law of abstinence is to educate us in the higher spiritual law of charity and self-mastery. To offer up the main course is truly a great sacrifice for love of our Lord. Meat is a luxury for the most part of the world.
The Code of Canon Law goes further:
Canon 1250  All Fridays through the year and the time of Lent are penitential days and times throughout the entire Church.
Canon 1252  All persons who have completed their fourteenth year are bound by the law of abstinence; all adults are bound by the law of fast up to the beginning of their sixtieth year. Nevertheless, pastors and parents are to see to it that minors who are not bound by the law of fast and abstinence are educated in an authentic sense of penance.
It is necessary for Catholics to give up meat of Fridays of Lent and Fridays of the year(unless a great feast is observed on Friday).  So let us try to delve deeper in the spirituality of lent by fasting from meat on Friday and especially Good Friday.

Spring

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