Where Does the Bible Say Catholics Must Fast During Lent? (The Patrick Madrid Show)

A caller named John Paul challenged Patrick Madrid with a question many Catholics have wondered: Where does the Bible command fasting and abstaining from meat during Lent? Patrick's answer began with an important distinction. Scripture does not contain a verse commanding Catholics to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. Instead, Christ entrusted His Church with the authority to guide the faithful in matters of discipline. Jesus told His Apostles that whatever they "bind on earth" would be bound in Heaven (Matthew 18:18), and in the Great Commission, He instructed them to teach believers to observe all He had commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). Patrick explained that this authority is exercised throughout the New Testament. He pointed to the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15, where the Apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit, established practical disciplines for Christians. While those specific directives differed from today's Lenten practices, they demonstrate that the Church has the authority to establish disciplines for the good of the faithful. John Paul repeatedly returned to the absence of a direct biblical command about Friday abstinence. Patrick acknowledged that point while emphasizing that the Church has never claimed those practices appear as explicit biblical commands. Rather, Catholics observe them because Christ entrusted His Church with the authority to shepherd His people. The conversation serves as a reminder that Catholics follow both Sacred Scripture and the authority Christ gave His Church. Lenten disciplines are not arbitrary rules but spiritual practices that help believers grow in prayer, repentance, and closer union with Jesus. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.