I think the whole Friday abstinence thing was brought about, at first, for economic reasons:
The Church wished to assist the fishing industry!
Seriously, I am often defending the Church against Catholic bashing, on these threads, but I do not completely buy into the fasting issues. Mainly because I forget all the time, life is too hectic, I am often on the road for my business, and drastic changes in diet tend to cause me some digestive problems.
2) Personal weakness (forgetting, hectic life, whatever) is to be overcome, not pandered to.
3) Those with legitimate medical issues should request a dispensation from their pastor.
” I do not completely buy into the fasting issues. Mainly because I forget all the time, life is too hectic, I am often on the road for my business, and drastic changes in diet tend to cause me some digestive problems.”
First, fasting is a mortification. It reminds us to remember the terrible suffering our Lord endured for us and our salvation. We mortify the senses during any day for many reasons. One is join in the Cross, another is to offer prayer for others, those ill, in danger, priests and religious, family.
Second, it establishes an ability to deny oneself something desired. That stregthens the Will to deny oneself inordinate, or sinful desires because a habit of denial has been established.
Third, if you cannot fast from meat, you can eat something else. McDonald’s fish fillet was created for Lent decades ago. But, your digestion is between you and God, and if your diocese does not require abstinance, then it’s a moot point.
You can fast in other ways: from losing your temper in heavy traffic, from talk radio, from the internet, from soft drinks, whatever.
*Just a suggestion and explanation.
There was never AFAIK a requirement to eat fish. My mother told me my grandmother said that, when she was growing up in Ireland, Friday meant black tea and dry bread!