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Is it supposedly "blasphemous" if a protestant partakes in Ash Wednesday?

My experience with the church has mainly been with Baptist Churches, in truth though I've attended many different churches and personally do not differentiate. Unlike many baptists, I observe Lent and participate in Ash Wednesday. My justification is showing humility before the Lord

I walked into the break room at lunch to eat, and one of my coworkers said "I didn't realize you're Catholic" to which I replied "I am not, but I still observe it and partake in the fasting."

His face became red, his eyes widened and he said that I was committing blasphemy. I began to explain my reasoning behind it, and he said that what I am doing is offensive and he does not want to talk about it.

I must admit, I was quite disgusted by the interaction (hence me feeling the need to share it here) but I held my tongue and let him move on. I in no way believe what I'm doing is some sort of charade, but I also do not believe it is a sacrament either. I feel compelled to by God to do what I do. I now concern for my coworker that he is only in it for the tradition.

My question for Catholic or not Catholic, why do or don't you observe Lent? And if you do, what are you giving up this season?

Clarify Share Report Asked 3 days ago Mini Anonymous

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Profile pic Mark Vestal Supporter Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!
This sounds very much like a "doubtful disputation" of Romans chapter 14 (below), and although the practice may not be expedient to the edifying of the church, "all things are lawful" today (1 Cor 6:12), so no condemnation if done in faith (knowing it has no bearing on pleasing God). We worship in spirit today, not the flesh (Phil 3:3), and we are made perfect through faith, not the flesh (Gal 3:3). All rudiments of the world and traditions of man were nailed to the cross of Christ (Gal 2:6-17).

Romans 14
"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22 Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."

3 days ago 2 responses Vote Up Share Report


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