A rationale explanation behind Ash Friday(Wednesday).

Well, we had some 'hurrah' over the recent announcement that Ash Wednesday this year has been carried forward and celebrated on the Friday instead. This is due to the fact that Chinese New Year's eve falls on that Wednesday.

Note : The following is not the official reasoning of the Archbishop of Malaysia. It's just a view on this topic to clear any uneasiness with the Archbishop's decision.

Reasons why it is rationale to move Ash Wednesday to Friday :
1. Absteinance. Well, Chinese New Year's eve is always associated with reunion dinners. THIS is the time when the whole family comes together and eat as a family. It is symbolic to the family lives of the Chinese. If Ash Wednesday were to be carried on, Chinese Catholics have to abstein from meat/fast. How then is it possible to attend the reunion dinner if you're fasting? It is sound then that Ash Wednesday to be moved to a Friday in order to celebrate a culture.

2. Obligatory day. Usually by the eve, everyone will be out of town, back at their hometown. The eve and the day before is associated with travelling. If Ash Wednesday were to be on Wednesday, travelling back to hometowns might be a little inconvenient. Some travel far(think Klang to Perlis) where the trip is about 9 hours, and might just miss mass.(and therefore, sinned!) Yes, some of you might argue that you can travel a day earlier, and so on, but there are always other problems cropping up, right?

Reasons for this mini-uproar :
1. What is the meaning of celebrating Ash WEDNESDAY on a Friday? Hmmm? Well, I suggest that if you want to celebrate Ash Wednesday, you can still celebrate it on Wednesday(you know, all the fasting and absteinance minus the church service)
2. We're changing religion for culture. Well, in my opinion, religion is not static. It has to change with time. Since we're living in a multicultural society(the Ash Friday is only applicable in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei), it wouldn't hurt to make compromise so that ALL catholics will be able to attend Ash Wednesday, rather than sacrificing one or another.

Well, i'm sure many of you have loads of opinions. Shout them out in the cbox. It is important that we discuss the matter, to strengthen our faith instead of creating arguements against each other. Sometimes, we might be ignorant, hopefully this post will update you all on it. Will receive any feedbacks!

Cheers!