Meatless Friday

   Most Catholics know about meatless Fridays.  It used to be an expected sacrifice for all each week.  Many would give up meat and eat seafood instead.  Yet, it was never intended to be as much about meat as it was about acknowledging our Lord and making some small sacrifice to honor Him.  It was a way to express our love for Him.

   That sacrifice has essentially disappeared.  Many Catholics believe it was abolished by Vatican II.  As with many things people believe about Vatican II, abolishing this sacrifice was not part of that Ecumenical Council.  Canon Law still says that “Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday.” (Canon 1251).

   The sacrifice is still a part of our faith.  However, we have the option of choosing a sacrifice which might be more meaningful.  For instance, giving up meat on Friday is no sacrifice at all for a vegetarian or vegan.  For me, giving up meat is not a big deal since I would prefer seafood anyway.  In my case, going vegetarian on Fridays might be the appropriate sacrifice.  The point is not what we sacrifice but that we sacrifice something meaningful.

   Unfortunately, it seems many used Vatican II as an excuse to stop the practice entirely.  This begs the question of what we are prepared to give for Christ.  If we are so weak or so selfish that we won’t sacrifice some little something on Fridays to honor the sacrifices He made for us what does that say about our faith and love of God.  Jesus gave His life for us and we don’t even want to sacrifice a hamburger once a week.

   I suggest that we, individually and as families, put some sacrifice back into Fridays.  If not meat, how about desert?  Maybe the kids could give up an hour of video game.  Mom and Dad could give up an hour of television.  Turn off the cellphones for family dinner and really talk with each other.  If possible, take the family to daily Mass on Fridays.  Whatever you choose, give it to God as your gift for the many blessings He has given us and to thank Jesus for His sacrifices for us.

   How about trying it today?  After all, it is Friday.