Monday, February 23, 2026

It is the 23rd of February 2026. Welcome to the Christian History Almanac, brought to you by 1517 at 1517.org; I’m Dan van Voorhis.

 

I think I may have chosen Braden from Evansville, Indiana’s question if for nothing else than the way his subject line introduced part of his question…

 

Evansville- home of the Screaming Eagles of the University of Southern Indiana. Evansville, Indiana, is so southern that it is actually south of Louisville. Lots of folks from that place and college- let’s highlight one-time resident Vince Russo, the “other Vince” who had some pretty bad ideas as a wrestling promoter, but also founded a short-lived Christian Pro Wrestling league… and it’s only my good sense that doesn’t make that a 5-part weekend edition.

 

Braden writes in the subject line, “Would you say that fasting practices are like pronunciation?”

 

There’s a man who listens. Exactly- it’s a matter of custom and preference. But Braden went on to ask about how Roman Catholic (and Orthodox) Christians could even believe that they “have to” abstain, or else. Braden wondered how that would ever be accepted in the church. I’ll note that Braden’s tone is very gracious- and he wonders what “blind spots” he might have.

 

A little throwback joke and graciousness? That gets you on the mailbag. So, Braden, let me tell you about my people and me. We American Protestants do not take kindly to anyone telling us what to do. Ever. Well, usually. The individualism and emancipation that came out of the Reformation have been a double-edged sword.

 

St. Cyprian, around 250, made a famous aphorism which might help us understand the significance of the church and her various bylaws and regulations. He says, “whoever would have God as Father must also have the church as mother”.

 

I’m not asking you to necessarily believe that- but understand it. Why does Mom say bedtime is at 8:30? I mean, 8:31, 8:35? It’s a little arbitrary, isn't it? Rhythms and regulations- they can be helpful! I’m always hesitant to speak of the “uses” of the law- but for those that dig that language- this is “first use”- laws and rules as that middle track on the Autopia cars that keeps you from going completely off the path into the little Nemo submarines.

 

Because you asked, Braden- fasting according to the United States Council of Catholic Bishops- is a person who may eat one full meal. Two smaller meals are allowed, but they can’t equal one full meal. Eating between meals is traditionally discouraged, though liquids may be permitted.

 

Also, it’s for people 18-59. Anything else? You’re doing it of your own accord.

 

It should be noted that the obligatory fasting I just mentioned is only required of Catholics on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday- a fast of meat is observed on Fridays in Lent. Since Vatican II, you are released from previous obligations, which, unfortunately, led to the creation of the Filet O Fish.

 

In the Eastern Orthodox church, they go a little harder- during Lent (which starts on Clean Monday- they don’t do Ash Wednesday), it’s a strict fast on most weekdays (no meat, fish, oil, or dairy). Even Sunday’s “in” Lent have fasting requirements- some are lifted on Palm Sunday as a foretaste of the Sunday to come.

 

I admit- as an American Protestant- “I don’t have to…” is part of my creed. But what if you want to? Do it! The Augsburg Confession- one of the first Reformation confessions of faith does a really good job in Article XXVI “on the distinction of meats”- it rightly points out that diversity in practice has long been the rule- not uniformity. The Second Helvetic Confession (I think it might be my favorite of the Reformation confessions- historically and contextually) has its chapter 24 suggesting “profitable holy abstinence” as an option for Christians.

 

There are two seemingly opposite forces at work inside me- the “I am free in Christ and don’t have to do anything to merit salvation” and “life is long and the pilgrimage can be hard- I’d gladly take advice from those who have gone before me”… I am not doing a Lenten fast this year- at least in the sense that I had in the past few years… Check out 1517.org for other Lenten resources- a Lenten devotional that I think I wrote for… the Sinner Saint Devotional Series. We have lenten resources- Kelsi’s “Outside of Ourselves” video pod has something too.

 

The Last word for today comes from the daily lectionary and a Lenten text from 1 Kings:

 

3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it, and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

All at once, an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

 

This has been the Christian History Almanac for the 23rd of February 2026, brought to you by 1517 at 1517.org.

The show is produced by a man who certainly saw the news story calling Evansville the “rudest city in the Midwest”- he’s West Lafayette’s Christopher Gillespie.

The show is written and read by a man back at the Disney parks tomorrow- where we will avoid both Autopia and the Submarines… my kids are teens now. I’m Dan van Voorhis.

You can catch us here every day- and remember that the rumors of grace, forgiveness, and the redemption of all things are true…. Everything is going to be ok.