Thread by @jdflynn

My wife told me tonight that a lot of people she knows are feeling anxious because they weren't or won't be able to fulfill their Easter duty.

I am really sorry if you're feeling that way.

But read on for some good news:

The Easter duty is delineated in c. 920 of the Code of Canon Law.

It's in the tweet below:

Can. 920 §1. After being initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, each of the faithful is obliged to receive holy communion at least once a year.

§2. This precept must be fulfilled during the Easter season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at another time during the year.

This says: Catholics should receive the Eucharist at least once a year, this should be done during the Easter season UNLESS, for some just cause, it is going to be fulfilled at another time.

Guess what kids?

A global pandemic and total shutdowns of public Mass = just cause.

So if you received the Eucharist BEFORE the shutdown of public Masses, or if you will receive the Eucharist AFTER the shutdown of public Masses, you have fulfilled your preceptive obligation.

This isn't a cheat code. Don't worry, it's not some kind of jesuitical trick or pharisaical phylactery widening.

It's just what the law of the Church -- the law that establishes the Easter duty in the first place -- actually says.

So if you have been anxious, be at peace.

Sometimes, we put pressure on ourselves to be more rigorous, or "more Catholic" than the Church requires.

That's the devil. So reject it.

Now, if instead, you're missing receiving Holy Communion, and participating in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which is the source and summit of our faith: I am right there with you.

But it will get better soon.

And in the meantime, Jesus loves you, so don't beat yourself up.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.