During the “liturgy wars” before Summorum Pontificum, the slogan “do the red, say the black” enjoyed popular currency. It was a humorous way of reminding the celebrant that, really, celebrating Mass is not all that difficult—one has simply to “do the red” (that is, perform the ritual actions indicated by the rubrics, printed in red type) and “say the black” (that is, read the texts printed in black type).
In the same way, navigating the forty days of Lent is also not that difficult—one has simply to “do the black.” What does that mean?
Yesterday’s collect provides an excellent example of what it means to “do the black” during Lent:
Pópulum tuum, quǽsumus, Dómine, propítius réspice: et, quos ab escis carnálibus praecipis abstinére, a noxiis quoque vítiis cessáre concéde.
We humbly beseech Thee, O Lord, to look mercifully upon Thy people; and, grant that those whom Thou dost command to abstain from flesh meats, may also cease from their harmful vices.
Certainly, as Holy Prophet Isaiah reminded us at the beginning of Lent, the true fast is the fast from sin—absolutely. However, since we are not angels, but human beings, we have to be purified in both mind and body, as today’s collect reminds us (mentis et corporis). As is so often the case in our divine and Catholic faith, it is not a matter of either-or, but of both-and.
May “the glory of these forty days” be revealed in each one of us, and may Easter Sunday find us renewed and strengthened, both exteriorly and interiorly (exterius interiusque—today’s Secret).
God bless you, and Ave Maria!
