Posted on 10/08/2015 4:56:22 AM PDT by NYer
That restriction is ignored in the West, so the Catholic/Protestant Easter sometimes coincides with Passover and sometimes doesn't (but is always close). The whole confusing topic is addressed here.
From what the OP was saying it sounds like this was very much about matters of faith. Wasn’t there much concern about the “proper” observance of Easter as well as the various feast days and wasn’t this the whole reason why Pope Gregory did it in the first place?
It would only be “of faith” if it were doctrinal in content. The calendar relates only to discipline, not doctrine, so it’s a matter of obedience, not a matter of the orthodox interpretation of divine revelation.
What were the penalties for disobeying these “disciplines”? Is it a mortal sin to reject non-infallible declarations? In other words, how is a Pope’s issuance of papal bulls making statements regarding issues of religious observances (when Easter must be celebrated) not expected to be true and obeyed?
I remember dreading death at 8 years old should I not make it to confession on Saturday when I snuck a doughnut before Mass on Sunday morning because I was so hungry after having to fast from midnight the night before. That “discipline” held a promise of eternal hell but now fasting before communion is somewhat optional, is it not?
Selective infallibility is a curious thing.
I'm glad you qualified the memory as that of an 8 year old. I too remember those times. You no doubt also remember meatless Fridays. I also recall the msm, on the nightly news, reporting how VCII agreed that Catholics could eat meat on Fridays. Granted, I was a teen at the time and did not pay much attention to the news but my family 'accepted' what they heard. That week, Dad brought home some Chinese food on Friday, that contained meat. We never questioned or looked back. It wasn't until I arrived at FR that someone pointed out to me "the rest of the story". The Church okayed the consumption of meat on Friday BUT said another form of personal sacrifice should be made in its place.
Ultimately, what is the purpose of fasting? It is intended to refocus us on Jesus Christ. Recognizing that it is not healthy to fast from midnight, the Church recommended that it be reduced to 1 hour of fast prior to receiving the Eucharist. When it comes to Friday abstinence, I have restored meatless Fridays, not because I am following a rule but out of love for our Savior. That is the difference. Fast and abstinence are personal choices that we can make ... any day of the week ... but should be done, our of love rather than obligation.
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