Posted on 03/02/2017 7:28:42 PM PST by NYer
You know you are in a Catholic town when, only during Lent, every single restaurant advertises one item on their menu: fish! I have even noticed how major fast-food chains point out on their fliers the date of Ash Wednesday! Suddenly everyone cares about the liturgical seasons of the Church!
So why is it that the Church instructs Catholics to abstain from meat on Fridays (as well as Ash Wednesday and Good Friday), but gives the “thumbs-up” for Catholics to eat fish? Sounds fishy to me!
First of all we must ask the question, “why Friday?” The USCCB gives a succinct explanation:
Catholic peoples from time immemorial have set apart Friday for special penitential observance by which they gladly suffer with Christ that they may one day be glorified with Him. This is the heart of the tradition of abstinence from meat on Friday where that tradition has been observed in the holy Catholic Church.
Since it is believed Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross on a Friday, Christians from the very beginning have set aside that day to unite their sufferings to Jesus. This led the Church to recognize every Friday as a “Good Friday” where Christians can remember Christ’s passion by offering up a specific type of penance. For much of the Church’s history meat was singled out as a worthy sacrifice on account of its association with feasts and celebrations. In most ancient cultures meat was considered a delicacy and the “fattened calf” was not slaughtered unless there was something to celebrate. Since Fridays were thought of as a day of penance and mortification, eating meat on a Friday to “celebrate” the death of Christ didn’t seem right. (As an aside, some bishops have chosen to lift the ban when Saint Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday during Lent, as it is considered a “solemnity” for many Irish Catholics.)
Read more: 6 Good Reasons to Abstain from Meat on Fridays, Even Beyond Lent
But why is fish not considered “meat”?
According to the USCCB, the laws of the Church classify the abstinence from “land animals.”
Abstinence laws consider that meat comes only from animals such as chickens, cows, sheep or pigs — all of which live on land. Birds are also considered meat.
Fish, on the other hand, are not in that same classification.
Fish are a different category of animal. Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles (cold-blooded animals) and shellfish are permitted.
In Latin the word used to describe what kind of “meat” is not permitted on Fridays is carnis, and specifically relates to “animal flesh” and never included fish as part of the definition. Additionally, fish in these cultures was not considered a “celebratory” meal and was more of a penance to eat.
Our current culture is much different as meat is generally considered the cheaper option on the menu and no longer has the cultural connection to celebrations. This is why many people are confused about the regulations, especially those who love to eat fish and do not consider it a penance.
In the end, the Church’s intention is to encourage the faithful to offer up a sacrifice to God that comes from the heart and unites one’s suffering to that of Christ on the cross. Meat is given as the very basic penance, while the purpose of the regulation should always be kept in mind. For example, it does not necessarily give a person the license to eat a lobster dinner every Friday in Lent. The whole point is to make a sacrifice that draws a person closer to Christ, who out of love for us made the ultimate sacrifice a person can make.
Just for fun: here is a “Gallery of Regrettable Lenten Food” to show you what not to cook during those Fridays of Lent
Act of love, ping!
Well shoot, I was going to say because it’s a great excuse to have mac and cheese
**** In Latin the word used to describe what kind of “meat” is not permitted on Fridays is carnis, and specifically relates to “animal flesh” and never included fish as part of the definition. Additionally, fish in these cultures was not considered a “celebratory” meal and was more of a penance to eat.***
Very interesting, good to know so I won’t give them a hard time for eating “meat” on Lenton Fridays. HOWEVER, the “vegetarians” that still eat fish will NOT get a break!
When I was growing up it was always fish sticks for lunch at school. Every Friday iirc. Our area wasn’t even all that Catholic.
I read somewhere years ago, prisoners in Maine were fed lobster due to it being considered a garbage food and being plentiful.
Same here. Never ate meat on Fridays during lent. It’s probably fish filet at McD’s tomorrow as usual..
That Gallery of Regrettable Food is hilarious.
If they do eat meat are they not saved by God in John 3:16-18? Total and complete imputed righteousness? Who cares about meat after the resurrection? Is that NOT OLD TESTAMENT “Legalism” destroyed by the new covenant? Am I missing something here?
By the time they were through with it you would have had tasteless rubber.
Fish usually goes on sale this time of year at the major supermarkets.
It’s kind of cool.
On a broader note. How can it be considered suffering with Christ if one is purposely inflicting the supposed suffering on oneself?
I do so miss the old Whaler from BK, it was huge, unlike its wimpy little oblong replacement. Same size and bun as the Whopper, 4” square or so filet.
At our Ash Wednesday service (Protestant) the pastor spoke about how Lent is a journey to the cross. And where we should spend some time thinking and praying about that, and why Jesus had to die on the cross. And to ponder our sins, strive for repentance when thinking of the price that was paid, and our shame, etc. And then ...EASTER! It makes Easter and all that it means even more glorious!
About 2 hours after she left, Mom let's out a great big 'OH NO! We gave her meat on a Friday!'. And of course we all slapped our foreheads for not thinking of it.
My sister actually called her, but she (the girl) didn't seem too upset about it.
Hot dogs have meat? Did you check?
;)
Stick with chicken sandwiches from Subway — there’s almost no meat in those.
Crazy mackerel snappers. ;). Is that still even considered a slur?
In my experience, Good Friday always falls on a Friday.
If people voluntarily give it up, with the understanding that it has nothing to do with earning salvation or favor from God, there is no problem.
If they think it somehow does help them with salvation, or obtaining grace, or believe it is a sin to eat meat on Fridays in Lent, the that is legalism and it is a problem.
WRONG..wholesale chicken is so cheap that you couldn't hardly replace it with anything else.
Actually, Catholics don’t eat meat on any Friday.
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