Eating Meat On Fridays

[93 Phillies]

By abstaining from eating meat on Fridays, I look at it as an act of sacrifice and self-control, in respect and reverence of the forty days in the desert. I don't always look into the "why meat and not fish" type question, because that isn't what is important to me. The symbolism of the abstention in the spirit of sacrifice is where I focus.

Now that we're in Lent, I've been hearing some of the typical comments from non-religious folk, who don't particularly understand the traditions of Catholicism. I have begun to wonder, out of pure curiosity (and to give these people a response when they try to grill me), why is it that we don't eat meat on Friday's but fish is okay? Also, when did we start this tradition? Through a little research, I've seen some varying answers.

[cappie]

In memory of the Crucifixion of Christ, Friday became a day of abstinence, a day of penitence for its followers. Anyone over age fourteen was expected to abstain even though there is nothing in the scriptures to prescribe it.

While Jews fast for 24 hours as a Day of Atonement, and Moslems do likewise during the month of Ramadan (they are permitted to eat during nighttime hours), Catholics have recognized Fridays as meatless days to coincide with the Hebrew tradition of not eating meat on days of sorrow.

In ancient days it was believed that eating meat was commensurate with manliness, and refraining from doing lessened any lust. Hence, fish became a substitute.

One theory states: political and economic reasons reinforced Friday as a day for eating fish. It would help the fishing industry at the time. Likewise, because fish was cheaper than meat so that poorer folk didn't feel different when purchasing fish at the market. Finally, by establishing competition between fishermen and meat growers, prices could be lowered all the way around.