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Sgt_Sweaters
Guest
In a homily a week or two ago, I heard a priest mention Wednesday as well as Friday as being a penitential day, on which fasting was encouraged. I was aware of Friday, but why Wednesday? What makes it special?
Wednesdays and Saturdays used to be days of penance in certain seasons - Lent, Ember Days, etc. They are sometimes especially recommended for voluntary penance but are no longer mandatory - except for Ash Wednesday.In a homily a week or two ago, I heard a priest mention Wednesday as well as Friday as being a penitential day, on which fasting was encouraged. I was aware of Friday, but why Wednesday? What makes it special?
In the Eastern Catholic Churches, it is required that the fast from meat is also followed. It is not new for us.I’ve heard something similar about all Wednesdays, not just that one–that it’s a recommended day for fasting. Why, I don’t know.
I remember this from graduate scripture studies long, long ago. Remember the Pharisee who fasted twice weekly? Good. I did not know him personally, but he represents the group of Jews who would have observed those days. Christians (including those who were from the Pharisaic school) shifted the days to distinguish themselves. Not all Jews observed the fast days, and hence the self-righteousness of this particular Pharisee. The difference of fast days did not pass unnoticed, and hence, the question, “why do your disciples not fast?”…In the time of Christ’s Incarnation, practitioners of the Old Testament religion fasted or abstained on Mondays and Thursdays, but Christians opted to take Wednesdays and Fridays as their penitential days.