Another Catholic Tradition . . . Are You Serious?

T. G. I. F.

As we prepare to begin Advent and a new liturgical year, I came across a recent blog article by Joe Heschmeyer about a Catholic tradition that has been greatly neglected or little known over the past 40 some years in the United States. This tradition has to do with penance and abstinence from meat on Friday. This observance is in the process of being reinstated by the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops. 
Growing up in the Episcopal Church, I remember this observance but didn't understand it. It was odd to give up all meat except fish on Fridays.

Meat and Fish: What’s the Difference?

Everything in our Catholic tradition is there for a purpose. It wasn’t implemented on a whim. There is a reason. According to Heschmeyer, what is meant by “meat” has to do with the Latin word “caro”, translated “flesh”. Fish did not fall into that category. St. Paul directs us to put off the deeds of the flesh (Rom. 8:13). Through His flesh we are reconciled to the Father. (See Col. 1:22-23). (Heschmeyer). In the Apostles Creed we say, “He (Jesus) was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man.” This is so important! We are told by Jesus to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). Christianity is not about “hauling lumber.” We come to Calvary too! It is amazing how Jesus Christ uses His creation in bringing about salvation.

So who still practices this tradition?

The Carthusians are Sure Serious!

In many religious orders, such as the Carthusians in France, they give up meat for the rest of their lives. This is a regular observance of their order. In their daily walk with Christ they are reminded of this mandate to put off the deeds of the flesh. Does the fact that they don’t eat meat make them righteous? No! Like with the rosary and the liturgy of the hours, which they also say, is a discipline that leads us to God. It is a constant reminder of where we are headed and what we need to be doing.

The Jews Were Sure Serious!

In ancient Israel God made a distinction between clean and unclean animals. Jews to this day still avoid unclean meats. This wasn’t something they made up. There is a whole classification of animals listed in Leviticus 11. This tradition was centered on the Temple in Jerusalem and was part of the sacrificial system and way of life. They avoided unclean meat lest they became unclean. If they were unclean, they could not offer sacrifice in the Temple. The other nations used to offer unclean animals in sacrifice to their gods. That is why the early church, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, had to deal with clean and unclean meats and honoring the conscience of the brethren. Whether a particular food was “bad” for you was not the point. It’s the principle behind it and obeying God above all else.

Calling All Serious Catholics!

Why would a tradition like this have any significance for us today? Giving up meat one day a week doesn’t seem very difficult. Lets look at this from another angle. Here is a quick review of some of those crazy Catholic traditions I have discussed on this blog . . .

      1)   The Rosary rehearses the high points in the Gospel and salvation history. It always has Jesus Christ at its center.
2)   The liturgy of the hours, especially the Psalms, speak of the history of the people of God and point us toward Christ. The Gospel Canticle is the high point in the Morning, Evening and Night Prayers.
3)   The tradition of refraining from meat on Friday is a reminder to us on a weekly basis to put off the deeds of the flesh and prepare ourselves to receive Christ in the Holy Eucharist. As Catholics, we have an “Alter Call” every week! We actually receive the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. We can say, with Mary, “Christ in me, the hope of glory!” (See Col. 1:27)

So much for “tradition” being considered a bad thing!

Understanding the Catholic faith from the inside shows me the beauty of God’s Church through the ages. We are not done yet!

If you want to be a saint raise your standards and aim for heaven!

Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving. Thank you Mom and Dad! I love you!

Ave Maria!

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Resources:
Heschmeyer, Joe, Why is fish allowed on Meatless Friday?, Shameless Popery, retrieved from http://catholicdefense.blogspot.com/2012/11/why-is-fish-allowed-on-meatless-fridays.html

All Bible quotations from the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition, Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2006.