Recently as I was reflecting on how Christians can observe the period of Lent amid the Lunar New Year festivities, I came across a Facebook post from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore.

Entitled Pastoral Statement for dispensation from fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday 2026, it was announced that “In 2026, the celebration of the second day of Lunar New Year falls on Ash Wednesday, 18 February 2026, being a day of fast and abstinence.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, in consultation with the Episcopal Regional Liturgy Commission of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei hereby gives dispensation from fast and abstinence on Ash Wednesday, 18 February 2026. However, the tradition of celebrating the liturgy of Ash Wednesday on that day is to be maintained with the imposition of ashes.

All Catholic faithful are encouraged to perform their fast and abstinence on another day during Lent except on Good Friday, which is already a day of fast and abstinence.”

Considering that in the jurisprudence of the canon law of the Catholic Church, a dispensation is the “relaxation” or exemption from a specific, non-divine canon law, it does seem that for Catholics, performing the fast and abstinence on Ash Wednesday is more than just an expression of personal piety and hardly a matter of spiritual indifference. Indeed, the fact that a dispensation is given by the regional church authorities indicates that such religious practices are not to be taken lightly by individuals.

As a non-Catholic, I do wonder why it would not suffice in their statement to point to Paul’s teachings on how Christians should not be binding the conscience of another when it comes to observances of certain days and what one can or cannot eat and drink on those days (Colossians 2:16-17, Romans 14:5-9).

But given that Sola Scriptura (which is the belief that the Bible is the sole infallible, supreme and final authority for Christian faith and practices) isn’t exactly a Catholic distinctive, it should not surprise us that Catholic traditions (regardless of its well intent) can sometimes take on an authority of its own. 

What is noteworthy is that that while dispensation was given from fast and abstinence, the imposition of ashes was to be maintained. Does that mean every Catholic is obliged to attend the Ash Wednesday Mass, especially those who are not involved in any Lunar New Year celebrations?

But if the Catholic faithful are encouraged to perform the fast and abstinence on another day during the Lenten season, why aren’t the priests allowed to carry out the imposition of ashes on a different day as well? What is so significant about Ash Wednesday and sacramental about imposition of ashes such that it has to be solemnly observed on that specific day?

Would not the Holy Communion be far more profound in its symbolism and efficacy than the tradition of imposition of ashes, especially if God’s people partake of the former on every Lord’s Day?

If God’s people are already learning to align their priorities and living in the light of who Christ is and has accomplished beyond their time at small group Bible Study and worship service, would it not suffice and be pleasing before God if congregants are reminded (whether it is the Sunday before or after Ash Wednesday) of Christ’s atoning sacrifice for them who are but dust, if not for God’s Spirit in them?

For us at True Way, while our worship service incorporates certain aspects of the liturgical calendar, I trust that none of us would mistake our church as turning away from our Presbyterian heritage. More importantly, you can be assured that our leaders are not about to make observing Lent a normative requirement or expectation for worshippers.

This is not to say that Christians should or should not fast during Lent. Throughout Scripture, fasting was a common practice amongst God’s people. It was the motive and hypocrisy behind their fasting which God had some strong words against (Isaiah 58:3-7, Matthew 6:16-18). Besides, in our consumeristic society today, I doubt any believer or church is suffering from too much fasting.

If you have been worshipping with us for some time, I hope you can appreciate the richness of our Reformed liturgy (which includes the Lord’s Supper) during every Lord’s Day and how it is centred on the person and work of Christ, reminding us of our utter dependence upon him. It also provides us with ample time for prayerful reflection, confession of sin, reciting the Apostles’ Creed, response of faith, etc.

Although True Way may not incorporate certain practices, our worship service is by no means bereft of historicity. Ever since the gathering of the first Christians (Acts 2:42), God continues to make available the same “ordinary” means of grace (such as prayer, reading and preaching of Scripture, Holy Communion) for all who calls on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This means that whenever worshippers at True Way gather to do the above, we are participating in Christian practices that are not only biblically grounded and rooted in history, we are also sharing something in common with fellow believers across denominational boundaries, language and culture.

Regardless of whichever festive season we are celebrating or liturgical season the church is in, let us take heart that whenever God’s people gather to worship in spirit and truth, we get to commune with our Triune God and are being built up in the faith with all who look forward to the Day of our Saviour’s return (2 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 9:28, 2 Peter 3:11-13, 1 John 3:2-3).

Interestingly enough, that is one day which isn’t in the liturgical calendar. But praise be to God, because of God’s grace, no one in Christ is going to miss participating in that glorious Day.