In this short article, we will answer the question “Why do Catholics eat fish on Friday?” and will discuss the Catholic important dates and food traditions.
Why do Catholics eat fish on Friday?
Because the majority of Christians have a custom of not eating meat on Fridays and eating fish instead. Christians are required to fast on the sixth day of the week, which is why (Friday).
Fish was described as the food of the underprivileged or local populace, and Christians avoid luxuries on the day of Jesus Christ’s death.
During Holy Week, why do Catholics eat fish?
Fish signifies the food of life, whereas flesh represents the material world. Eating fish instead of meat has a higher spiritual significance. Fish consumption during Holy Week is customary among Christians.
The practice of eating fish is connected to a means of practising fasting and abstinence, which the Church has identified, together with charitable giving and almsgiving, as a characteristic devotional activity during Lent.
To be clear, both Ash Wednesday and Good Friday need fasting. Eating fish instead of meat has deeper symbolic significance in religion than simply being a tangible transaction. Fasting is a form of religious practice that is done for religious purposes.
Eating fish is intended to be a demonstration of the Christian faith. How? The corporeal world, including its passions, sins, selfishness, and greed, as well as things “below” the depiction of things “above,” is represented by the flesh.
The fish has great meaning in the Christian religion and appears frequently in the Bible. Remember the miraculous catch, the multiplicity of the loaves and fish, and the fish that was cooked by the lake following Jesus’ resurrection.
Baptized Christians are referred to as “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” in Matthew 4:19. The act of baptism was symbolised among the early Christians by the image of fishing.
When Christians were persecuted, the fish was adopted as the symbol of Jesus Christ’s disciples. This is because the Greek word for “fish,” “this,” is associated with the formula for trust in Jesus Christ.
The first letters of the Greek phrase “Jesus Christ Son of God Savior” are the letters that make up the word “icthis.” Anyone who identified as a “fish” among Christians today claimed to be a follower of that religion.
The fish represents the Eucharistic Supper and the food of life (Le 24, 24) in this solely Christ-related context. As a result, it is frequently duplicated alongside bread.
Where did the tradition of skipping meat on Good Friday originate?
The Church advises that during Lent, the 40 days preceding Easter (Christ’s Resurrection), believers abstain from meat consumption or substitute minor acts of sacrifice in its place.
Fasting or acts of kindness and dedication to others would be examples of these minor penances, which demonstrate the believer’s willingness to give up something of his daily life in remembrance of Christ.
The Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church does not distinguish between beef and fish or other animals when it refers to “meat,” although it does state that the faithful may forego meat or other foods if doing so involves just a little sacrifice to him.
Therefore, the custom of eating fish on Good Friday is only a convention that has been developed and upheld due to a lack of understanding of Catholic Church texts.
Fish have complicated neural systems and can experience pain and hopelessness just like other animals can. That’s exactly how they feel when they are hauled out of the water and killed by suffocation and stab wounds.
Every day of the year, one should reevaluate whether eating fish, oxen, cats, chickens, pigs, dogs, whales, or any other animal violates the biblical prohibition of bringing misery to others.
You should consider the consumption of animals and their derivatives, particularly considering how absolutely unnecessary it is. Do not spill any more blood.
Conclusion:
In this short article, we answered the question “Why do Catholics eat fish on Friday?” and also discussed the Catholic important dates and food traditions.