(Yes! Someone's saying something I can defend, and it's in an accepting atmosphere! The Southern Baptists won't attack me! ::glances at roommate, hoping she won't read over my shoulder::)
First, for any lurkers who aren't sure what's going on...On Fridays during Lent (the 40 days before Easter, lasts from Ash Wednesday (witch is the day after Mardi Gras/ Fat Tuesday) until Easter Sunday) (Devout) Catholics do not eat meat. But, fish is an acceptable food at those times; witch causes much confusion among many people. Depending on how traditional you are, you can also do this through the whole year (no meat on ANY Friday), or through all of Lent (no meat for 40 days).
Now, on to the argument...Lent is a time of remembrance (a lot like Advent (the 4 weeks before Christmas) is a time of celebration). The disciples (as well as most all people, save the VERY rich) did not often eat meat, they ate fish. We see various examples of this throughout the Gospel, from Jesus walking on water out to his fishing disciples-to-be, how He is a "fisher of men," and the "loaves and fishes" story. Fish was a central part of life in those times. By limiting ourselves to it, we remember what life was like, not only for the twelve, or for the men and women who followed him (physically), but also for all the trials the early church endured, and still endures today.
Is that a good explanation?
|
