Lent and the Tradition of Not Eating Meat on Fridays
Lent is the forty-day period that begins on Ash Wednesday, this year February 18, and ends on Maundy Thursday, this year April 2. It is celebrated by Catholic traditions, such as those of the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican Churches. It is also observed by some Protestant churches, such as the Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Moravian churches, among others.
The forty days have great significance in the world of the Bible. For example, the Great Flood lasted forty days; for forty years the people of Israel wandered in the desert to reach the Promised Land; and Jesus was tempted for forty days in the desert by Satan. This symbolism was transferred to Lent, understood as a time of spiritual preparation for Easter, which includes repentance, fasting, and prayer. There is one tradition that is particularly noteworthy, and I would like to explain it here: not eating meat on Fridays. The tradition dates back to the early centuries of Christianity. Abstinence from meat was done in honor to the memory of Christ, who suffered and died on Good Friday. In addition, there was an important factor: cost. In ancient times, meat, especially beef, was generally much more expensive, and associated with luxury, than fish, because raising cattle required many more natural resources, such as water, grass, and large tracts of land. For example, today, an average of 15,000 liters of water is used to produce one kilogram of beef. In contrast, in the past, larger towns and cities were concentrated in areas close to large sources of water, such as the sea, rivers, and lakes. Therefore, fish was more affordable and the common food of the working classes, leaving meat for more special occasions. Today, this is probably not the case. Due to the massive industrialization of the production system, meat and fish can have similar prices, and certain types of fish can even be extremely expensive depending on the region. Consequently, not eating fish on Fridays was seen as a way to free up resources intended for meat but donating them to the poor and needy. It is important to emphasize that Christianity is always a faith lived in community, not in individualism. Sometimes there can be a misunderstanding that spiritual growth is only for my personal well-being, but for those of us who follow Jesus, it is always connected to others. The invitation for those of us who celebrate Lent is to give up something or save money from personal indulgence and use it to help someone in my community. For example, donating food to a food bank or volunteering in activities that serve others, especially the most vulnerable. It doesn’t hurt to continue eating fish, especially salmon, so that when the new fishing season arrives, there will be room in the refrigerator. And let’s not forget to donate the money that was going to be spent on the barbecue to a worthy cause. Rev. Israel Portilla-Gómez (He/him/his) is Associate Rector at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. 2222 E Tudor Rd, Anchorage, AK 99507. [email protected]. (907) 563-3341. Ext. 13. |