Meatless Observance: Religious Traditions On Good Friday

Catholics and other Christians abstain from eating meat on Good Friday, the day of Jesus Christ's crucifixion. Good Friday is a day of holy obligation for Catholics, who are required to abstain from work and attend mass. Abstinence from meat on this day is a form of penance, commemorating Christ's sacrifice of his flesh. Catholics over the age of 14 are expected to abstain from meat on Good Friday, Ash Wednesday, and all Fridays during Lent.

Catholics abstain from meat on Good Friday as penance for Jesus' sacrifice

Abstaining from meat on Good Friday is a practice observed by several Christian denominations, including Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Methodists. Catholics abstain from eating meat on Good Friday as a form of penance and to honour Jesus's sacrifice.

Abstinence is one of the oldest Christian traditions, with the day of crucifixion traditionally observed as a day of abstinence from meat to honour Christ, who sacrificed his flesh on a Friday. This practice of abstinence is also mentioned in the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, a first-century text directing Christians to fast on both Wednesdays and Fridays.

Catholics observe abstinence from meat on Good Friday as a form of penance and to honour Jesus's sacrifice. By sacrificing his flesh for humanity, Jesus exemplified the ultimate form of self-denial. Catholics emulate this act of self-denial by abstaining from meat, a practice that has been traditionally observed since the first century. Abstinence is seen as a way to express sorrow and contrition for one's wrongdoing and to turn away from sin, turning back to God.

In addition to Good Friday, Catholics also abstain from meat on other significant days such as Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent. Abstaining from meat on Fridays throughout the year has been a part of Roman law and the universal law of the Latin Church. While it is no longer mandatory, many Catholics continue this practice or choose other forms of penance.

The practice of abstaining from meat on Good Friday is a way for Catholics to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and to express their penance. By sacrificing something valuable, they emulate Jesus's sacrifice and honour his memory.

Abstinence is a form of asceticism, or self-denial, to grow in holiness

Asceticism is derived from the ancient Greek term "askesis," meaning "training" or "exercise." It has been observed in many religious and philosophical traditions, including Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Stoicism, and Islam. The practice often involves fasting, meditation, and prayer, and is believed to lead to spiritual transformation and a greater connection with the divine.

In Christianity, asceticism can be traced back to the Bible, with scriptural examples found in the lives of John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, the twelve apostles, and Paul the Apostle. The Dead Sea Scrolls also revealed ascetic practices of the ancient Jewish sect of Essenes. In the early Christian era, the deserts of the Middle East were inhabited by thousands of Christian ascetics, including St. Anthony the Great, known as the Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers.

Asceticism can take on different forms, ranging from natural asceticism, which involves a simple and frugal lifestyle, to unnatural asceticism, which involves more extreme practices like self-mortification and body mortification. While some religions embrace asceticism, others, like Zoroastrianism, actively reject it, emphasizing participation in life through good thoughts, words, and deeds.

Abstinence, as a form of asceticism, is a practice of self-denial that helps individuals grow in holiness by sacrificing worldly pleasures for spiritual pursuits. This can include abstaining from meat, as in the Christian tradition of Good Friday, but it can also extend to other areas of life, such as abstaining from alcohol or sexual relations.

Catholics over the age of 14 must also abstain from foods made with meat

Abstaining from meat on Good Friday is a practice observed by many Christians, especially Catholics, in commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice. This tradition of abstinence is rooted in the belief that Jesus sacrificed his flesh, and so Christians abstain from eating flesh meat on Fridays, especially Good Friday, to honour Christ.

Catholics over the age of 14 are required to abstain from meat and foods made with meat on Fridays of Lent and, in some regions, throughout the year. This practice is based on the belief that Jesus sacrificed his flesh for humanity on Good Friday. Abstaining from meat is a form of penance, expressing sorrow and contrition for wrongdoing and turning to God. It is also a form of asceticism, or self-denial, which helps Catholics grow in holiness by denying the cravings of their bodies and honouring Jesus' sacrifice.

The requirement for Catholics over the age of 14 to abstain from meat on Fridays was established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1966 with Norms II and IV. Previously, the requirement to abstain from meat on Fridays applied to those aged seven and older. The current rule is specified in Canons 1252 and 1253 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which give Bishops the authority to set local norms for fasting and abstinence.

Abstinence from meat for Catholics specifically refers to flesh meat, which includes the meat of mammals and poultry, such as beef, pork, chicken, and turkey. Fish and other cold-blooded animals, such as frogs, clams, and turtles, are not considered flesh meat and are permitted. The distinction between flesh meat and other types of meat is based on the Latin word "caro", which has historically been understood to exclude fish. Additionally, non-flesh products, such as milk, cheese, butter, eggs, and sauces made from animal fats, are allowed.

While abstaining from meat, Catholics may choose to eat alternative sources of protein, such as fish, or meatless meals like pancakes, waffles, macaroni and cheese, or grilled cheese sandwiches. These meatless meals can be found in the cuisines of traditionally Catholic countries, which offer a variety of meatless dishes due to historical practices of abstinence during Lent and Advent.

Fish is allowed, but expensive seafood is discouraged

Many Christians abstain from eating meat on Good Friday, the day that Jesus was executed and sacrificed his flesh for humanity's sins. This practice has been observed for centuries and was a rule set out by the Vatican.

Fish is allowed on Good Friday, and many choose to eat it instead of meat. This is because fish are cold-blooded, so their meat is considered distinct from that of warm-blooded animals. Additionally, fish have Christian connotations: Jesus referred to his disciples as "fishers of men", and many of them were fishermen. Fish were also used as a secret symbol by Christians to identify each other when their religion was banned.

However, expensive seafood is discouraged on Good Friday. Abstaining from meat on this day is a form of penance and asceticism, a practice of self-denial to grow in holiness. Indulging in luxurious seafood, such as lobster or Alaskan king crab, would defeat the purpose of this practice. Instead, Christians are encouraged to opt for simpler, more modest fish dishes.

The practice of eating fish on Good Friday is not limited to Good Friday itself. Some devout Christians choose to eat fish instead of meat every Friday, or on other special days throughout the year, such as Ash Wednesday. This tradition is particularly prevalent among Catholics, who follow the doctrine set out by the Vatican.

In the 1960s, the Pope modified the ruling, stating that it could be interpreted according to a person's economic status. This means that eating fish on Fridays is not compulsory, and individuals can make choices based on their financial situation.

Fasting on Good Friday is also observed by Lutherans and Methodists

Good Friday is a Christian observance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and many Christian denominations choose to fast on this day. Fasting on Good Friday is observed by Lutherans and Methodists, in addition to Anglicans, Catholics, and Orthodox Christians.

Lutherans

Lutherans often abstain from alcohol and meat on the Fridays of Lent, and historically have observed a Black Fast on Good Friday. On this day, Lutherans typically have only one simple meal, usually without meat. Some choose to eliminate a food group for the entire season of Lent, saving rich and fatty foods for Easter. Lutherans may also refrain from eating before receiving Communion during Lent.

Methodists

Methodists have traditionally been encouraged to fast on Fridays throughout the year. The founder of Methodism, John Wesley, himself fasted weekly, from Thursday at sundown until receiving communion on Sunday. He also advocated fasting on both Wednesdays and Fridays each week as a regular spiritual discipline for those seeking ordination. Over time, Wesley himself fasted mostly on Fridays, which was the Anglican norm.

The Purpose of Fasting

Fasting is seen as a way to express sorrow for sin and penitence for overindulgence in eating and drinking. It is also a way to allow more time for prayer, and is often accompanied by devotional reading. Fasting is also believed to heighten spiritual sensitivity, intensifying prayer and increasing its effectiveness.

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