Why do Catholics not eat meat only on Fridays during Lent?

Question

To me this practice makes no sense. I'm Jewish and being Jewish I don't go around saying "I only keep kosher on Fridays." I mean, if you believe that God doesn't want you to eat meat, God wouldn't want you to eat meat ever, not just on Fridays. I really don't understand this at all.

I get the Passover analogy. But the thing is, during passover we don't eat chametz for the full 8 days, not just once a week. This seems like the same thing. Shouldn't Catholics not eat meat for the full 40 days?

Answer 1

At one time, Catholics abstained from eating meat on every Friday of the year. This was a small sacrifice done to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Lord on Good Friday. Meat was specifically chosen because eating meat was a sign of the wealth of a person. The poor had to go to the river to catch a fish to get protein in their diet, but the rich could raise livestock or go to the market to buy meat. Eating fish on Friday was a way to unite ourselves to the poor.

Catholic rules and traditions have changed such that abstaining from meat is only done during Lent. Lent is a season in which we pray and fast as part of our spiritual preparation for the joyous season of Easter.

Yes, this is a tradition that was made up by the catholic Church. Jesus condemned the traditions of the Pharisees that interfered or worked against the Law of Moses. Abstaining from meat on Fridays does not work against any commandment.

Answer 2

Technically speaking, we can't eat mean on Fridays at all. There is an idea going around that this ended with Vatican II. It did not. People like to conveniently forget that every Friday is meant as a sacrifice of some kind. You make an exceedingly valid point. One that also came up yesterday with regards to the Pharisees. Jesus condemned them as they were strict observers of the letter of the law, but often missed the SPIRIT of the law. I am a vegetarian. I don't eat meat at all. Some might say that is a perpetual sacrifice so I'm clear for Fridays. But this just isn't true. The spirit of the law is a sacrifice. We are to give something up. Fr. Benedict Groeschel's book on Lent spells it out. Lobster Thermador may be technically ok, or even a bountiful sushi meal, but it is not observing the SPIRIT of the law. Going to Red Lobster and having a bountiful "all you can eat" sea food meal is not observing the spirit of the law. I give up sweets every Friday. During Lent I give up my beloved Seitan on Fridays. Yum Yum

Answer 3

It is not about being "kosher." It is not about God never wanting you to eat something. It is about making small sacrifices for God. It really is no different than you celebrating Passover. It is symbolic. Giving up meat during lent is just a symbol of Christ's sacrifice. For Christians, Christ shows that it is not the foods you eat that make you a good person, but rather the way you treat other people. We can really eat whatever we want to.

As far as the lent ritual is concerned, there is also a practical side: before people understood about nutrition like we do today, meat was one of the only sources of protein that people received. It became very evident during the middle ages when this ritual developed that going without meat was causing serious health problem for people, so they allowed for it on Fridays.

The problem you are having is that you are trying to compare something to your own experience and beliefs. Different people believe different things. Although they have similar sources, Christianity and Judaism are different religions. Nothing wrong with that.

Answer 4

The purpose of not eating meat on Friday's (during Lent) is not the same as the Jewish practice of eating only Kosher foods. Basically we don't meat on Friday's during Lent as a small sacrafice for God. (I would look at it as more of a minimum standard though). For Catholics, sacrafice is the primary way in which we show God that we love Him, so it's something we should do all the time, not just during Lent (you're right about that part). Also, by denying ourselves this small pleasure, it reminds us of our dependence on God, and that ultimately this kind of food will not satisfy us, because we will always be hungry again. Only the spiritual food that Jesus gives us, can truly satisfy.

Answer 5

As a former (recovering) Catholic, I can answer by saying that this is a ritual that Catholics exercise ONLY during Lent as a "sacrifice". That is a period of 40 days/nights before Jesus was betrayed, arrested, beaten and crucified.

Since meat is a necessary staple in our diet, it is sacrificed on Fridays during Lent which was represents the sacred Lamb. The Lamb that was sacrificed, was Jesus. So, Catholics will not burn in hell for accidentally eating meat on Fridays, but they are surrendering meat meals in recognition of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.

It may be similar to you obstaining from bacon, pork chops, B-B-Que ribs, etc...only ALL the time. It is just an abstinance or sacrifice that we make for our religion.

Answer 6

The reason we choose to abstain from eating meat on Friday's during Lent is to emulate Jesus' sacrifice during his 40 day retreat into the desert. Also to prepare for his passion which immediately follows the 40 days of Lent. Yes it is not very extreme or really much of a sacrifice (at least in the South), but still it is something that all Catholics should be able to do.

Also it used to be every Friday but in recent years, due to the fact that many catholics did not comply, has been changed.

Answer 7

Some Catholics give up meat EVERY Friday. Some only during Lent. It's one of those things where the "rules" were loosened to make it more up to the individual which is more of a challenge than robotically following "rules".
For instance, instead of giving something up this past lent, I challenged myself to work out every day for at least 20 minutes. It was VERY hard for me - and I knew it would be.
Do you see how it works a llittle? I can see how it would seem strange, but it's a very wonderful practice - I got a lot out of it. Just sacraficing one little thing can teach you a lot about yourself and appreciate all that you've been given.

Answer 8

Any Catholic can sacrifically abstain from meat throughout all 40 days of Lent, and fast on other days in addition to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. For that matter, they can (and many do) continue to abstain on every Friday throughout the year as was the custom in years past. The requirement to abstain only on Fridays during Lent is considered the minimum.

Answer 9

The forty-day period is symbolic of the 40 days spent by Jesus in the wilderness. The number forty has many other Biblical significances: the forty days Moses spent on Mount Sinai with God; the forty days and nights Elijah spent walking to Mt. Horeb; God makes it rain for forty days and forty nights in the story of Noah; the Hebrew people wandered forty years traveling to the Promised Land; Jonah in his prophecy of judgment gave the city of Nineveh forty days grace in which to repent.

It used to be a much stricter practice but over time has become more laxed so its still observing tradition and I believe Aquinas had some influence on the practice to arguing what should and should not be fasted.

Answer 10

the practice used to be not eating meat at all during lent for catholics but in time has changed to only fri's. it is not that it is bad to eat meat-- giving up the meat stands is a small symbol of what jesus did for us, if he could give his life we can give up something aka meat

i don't know why they use meat as the thing to give up, it is just a practice thats been around for years