When and why did this traditions start? What is the significance of following it today?
2007-02-21 10:48:16 · 5 answers · asked by beheld_in_ict 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"To sum up those requirements, Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. In addition, all Catholics 14 years old and older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent.
Fasting as explained by the U.S. bishops means partaking of only one full meal. Some food (not equaling another full meal) is permitted at breakfast and around midday or in the evening—depending on when a person chooses to eat the main or full meal.
Abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, milk products or condiments made of animal fat.
The Code of Canon Law and our bishops remind us of other works and means of doing penance: prayer, acts of self-denial, almsgiving and works of personal charity. Attending Mass daily or several times a week, praying the rosary, making the way of the cross, attending the parish evening prayer service, teaching the illiterate to read, reading to the blind, helping at a soup kitchen, visiting the sick and shut-ins and giving an overworked mother a break by baby-sitting—all of these can be even more meaningful and demanding than simply abstaining from meat on Friday."
2007-02-21 11:01:17 · answer #1 · answered by Giggly Giraffe 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Abstinence from meat (which I call "land meat") is to be observed by those 14 and older on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. Fish, shellfish, tofu are all acceptable.
Fasting (meaning eating only one full meal and two smaller meals with no solid food in between) is to be observed by those who are between the ages of 18 and 59 on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
*** Neither of these are required if it would negatively affect a person's health. ***
Why do we have this tradition? (Not law, you notice.) One of the ideas of Lent is to simplify our lives and return to God. By abstaining from meat, people traditionally ate simpler, more spartan meals. It also can help us better appreciate what those who have less than we do have to endure every day. The next step, of course, is then to DO something about helping others.
What is important here is the spirit of the tradition. I can certainly have a wonderful lobster and risotto dinner with a ceaser salad and glass of wine and still be within the guidelines. But where is the sacrifice in that?? For some people, giving up meat on Fridays is a worthless exercise. I know people who find other ways to celebrate Lent and the concepts of fasting, abstinence, and good works that are more meaningful to them. For me personally, it is a nod to tradition and a reminder to myself that I need to turn my heart to God and not be so overly focused on the material world.
2007-02-21 10:52:50 · answer #2 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We follow the example of Jesus, who retreated to the desert for fasting and prayer for 40 days.
A fast is an act of personal devotion, very conducive for hightened states of communion with the divine, a fact that Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims all agree upon.
2007-02-21 10:56:21 · answer #3 · answered by Freddy F 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cook it to at least 160 degrees, try to get as lean a cut of meat as possible, and bonapetit
2007-02-21 10:55:40 · answer #4 · answered by conx-the-dots 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's a worthless Catholic teaching and isn't found anywhere in the Bible.
2007-02-21 10:52:23 · answer #5 · answered by Jeff C 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋