While I adore the springtime for its return to warmer temperatures, that feeling of life returning from the cold winter months, and the smells emanating from open doors at bakeries, coffee houses and restaurants alike, it can also be a difficult time for so many. Spring’s arrival is, after all, the holiest time of year for our two largest religious populations; Judeo-Christians.
Look, you folks know that I rarely play the Roman Catholic card and, yes, even someone as “New York” as I am celebrates and prays to an invisible being who we believe to be all-forgiving and altruistic, but the truth of the matter is that in today’s day and age faith plays an even more important role in our lives.
Without faith, I don’t think many of us would have survived the last quarter of a century given the events we have endured as a city. Without faith, I think New York would have surrendered into a smoldering cesspool of hell. Think about this: we have literally survived everything from terrorist attacks to absurdly corrupt lockdowns during the pandemic to race riots to crooked and ethically bankrupt Mayors and Governors destroying the fabric of our way of life. If that isn’t the definition of a miracle, I don’t know what is. And, from a personal note, I did just dance with the devil less than a few months ago, surviving extreme sepsis and emergency surgery (much thanks to my surgeon). Though a visit from my deceased forbearers in a dream seemed to help as well – a subconscious indication of my faith.
This time of year for my fellow followers of Christianity and my Jewish brothers and sisters is all about penance and self-discipline. As an example, During Lent (a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving observed by many Christian churches in preparation for Easter that begins on Ash Wednesday), Catholics are supposed to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays until Easter.
Catholics are also to eat only one main meal and two smaller meals while giving up snacking. During Passover, people of the Jewish faith avoid eating leavened foods, also known as chametz, and sometimes also avoid legumes, corn, rice, and other foods called kitniyot. Essentially, from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday, it’s a landmine field of restrictions.
My only advice there is to be sure that whatever your faith, you are also keeping an eye on your health. For those that are diabetic, you know what your recommended diet entails.
Those with high cholesterol and blood pressure, well, eating less red meat isn’t a bad thing (I have suffered from both for decades, so I know).
But, if you do make the mistake of eating meat on a Friday, or having more than one meal per day, as a practicing Roman Catholic, I can assure you God will forgive you if you are a good person and you go to confession. At least that is what I was told when I asked what happens when Catholics make a mistake and don’t follow the laws of our religion. As I recall, I asked this question when I was going through the Rite of Confirmation in sixth grade at Saint David’s School. Monsignor Thomas Leonard, our chaplain, told me right before the ceremony at St. Thomas More on East 89th Street (our church). As for my Jewish brothers and sisters, I believe the same holds true with respect to leavened breads during Passover. A dear friend who was a Rabbi told me some years ago that God will always forgive a repentant person who has a good heart and soul.
And that is my real point in this – if you are a good person, if you make a mistake, that’s okay. Just remember to ask for forgiveness and continue being that good person. After all, that is what Lent is about, self-reflection and penance.’
THE FINAL WORD
Regardless of your color or creed, as long as you are a good person, that is all that should matter in this world.
I wish all of you a Happy Easter, Happy Passover, or, for those who do not celebrate, peace and good health in life.