Eating meat on Fridays / Co-worker won't follow the rules

[redtech]

I have a question about why we don’t eat meat on Fridays during lent. I’m a cradle catholic and honestly, I just don’t know why. I figured it was a respect thing.

Last Friday, we had something big going on at work and the boss bought us Pizza for lunch. I went to my office and ate my Tuna sandwhich and then went back with them to sit and chat while they ate their pizza. The boss is Catholic and he mentioned several times that I was making him feel bad because he knows he’s not supposed to eat meat.

There is another co-worker who just went through RCIA last year and just joined the church last year. He basically said that “if he gets to the pearly gates and they don’t let him in because of something that he ate, then he was doing pretty good” He also said that he didn’t have to follow church laws and he wasn’t ever going to give up eating meat on Fridays.

I really didn’t say anything to him because what he does is none of my business. I sort of feel bad for him though. I don’t like to argue with people or preach to them but what could I have said to maybe change his mind?

 

[thechrismyster]

i just do my thing. and if i remind someone that its a Friday in lent and ask why they’re eating meat… all the better. sometimes you just need to remind someone. be a little thorn in their side, better than a pitchfork in their rear.

I was at Sam’s Club last friday, and while i was shopping, the people giving out free food samples ALL had meat items for samples… talk about temptation.

 

[redtech]

Oh MAN!!! The Sam’s samples are always SO good too!

 

[Tonks40]

I have a co-worker who is also a cradle Catholic, but has been away from the Church for a very long time. She actually very confused about abstinence, even though I sent her an email link that basically outlined it for her. She also asks me questions if I’m going to abstain or fast - like she’s excluded from this practice (which I know she’s not)…

…needless to say, being doing a lot of witnessing to her lately!!

 

[BlestOne]

thechrismyster:

i just do my thing. and if i remind someone that its a Friday in lent and ask why they’re eating meat… all the better. sometimes you just need to remind someone. be a little thorn in their side, better than a pitchfork in their rear.

I was at Sam’s Club last friday, and while i was shopping, the people giving out free food samples ALL had meat items for samples… talk about temptation.

ROFL!!! I used to go to Sam’s every weekend just to feed the kids! (Back in the “poor college student” days) Believe it or not you can feed toddlers and grade schoolers enough to make a complete meal. I figured I was gonna make that membership pay off!!! I love their samples. Thank God I usually go on Saturdays so I am not restricted!! See ya there on Saturday I guess… hehehehehee

 

[1ke]

redtech:

I have a question about why we don’t eat meat on Fridays during lent. I’m a cradle catholic and honestly, I just don’t know why. I figured it was a respect thing.

We abstain from flesh meats as a penance and a rememberance of Good Friday, when Jesus died on the Cross-- he gave up his flesh for the life of the world. There are some good articles on New Advent, the old Catholic encyclopedia, regarding the origins of penances.

redtech:

Last Friday, we had something big going on at work and the boss bought us Pizza for lunch. I went to my office and ate my Tuna sandwhich and then went back with them to sit and chat while they ate their pizza. The boss is Catholic and he mentioned several times that I was making him feel bad because he knows he’s not supposed to eat meat.

Well, if he knows it’s wrong, he should not partake of meat. He could get cheese pizza for the Catholics, himself included.

redtech:

There is another co-worker who just went through RCIA last year and just joined the church last year. He basically said that “if he gets to the pearly gates and they don’t let him in because of something that he ate, then he was doing pretty good”

Well, actually, if you get to the pearly gates and they don’t let you in… that means you’re in Hell, and therefore not doing “pretty good”.

He has an overly simplified view of things, and it’s possibly from his immaturity in the faith.

redtech:

He also said that he didn’t have to follow church laws and he wasn’t ever going to give up eating meat on Fridays.

Give him a Catechism and highlight the relevant pages. Why does he think Church Law does not apply to him? Why did he join the Catholic Church in the first place?

redtech:

I really didn’t say anything to him because what he does is none of my business. I sort of feel bad for him though. I don’t like to argue with people or preach to them but what could I have said to maybe change his mind?

I’d give him the information, maybe a book or two. He is very young in his faith, and has a lot to learn.

 

[redtech]

Thanks 1ke, I know I have a lot to learn in my faith too. I really with I’d paid more attention in religion class.

I got caught cheating on an apostle test in 7th grade.

 

[T.A.Stobie_SFO]

redtech:

Last Friday, we had something big going on at work and the boss bought us Pizza for lunch. I went to my office and ate my Tuna sandwhich and then went back with them to sit and chat while they ate their pizza. The boss is Catholic and he mentioned several times that I was making him feel bad because he knows he’s not supposed to eat meat.

I hope he order a cheese pizza without meats for the faithful catholics. Better bosses are aware and check with their people. When I order pizza for a group I check preferences and try to meet any dietary restrictions and have something everyone can eat.

 

[T.A.Stobie_SFO]

redtech:

There is another co-worker who just went through RCIA last year and just joined the church last year. He basically said that “if he gets to the pearly gates and they don’t let him in because of something that he ate, then he was doing pretty good” He also said that he didn’t have to follow church laws and he wasn’t ever going to give up eating meat on Fridays.

We are obligated to follow church laws under the obedience required by the fourth commandment. See the catechism for details.

Also, his RCIA program was significantly lacking for him to have that view after completing RCIA. His views shows he was not ready to be accepted in the church as he is unwilling to accept all of its teachings.

 

[redtech]

T.A.Stobie:

We are obligated to follow church laws under the obedience required by the fourth commandment. See the catechism for details.

Also, his RCIA program was significantly lacking for him to have that view after completing RCIA. His views shows he was not ready to be accepted in the church as he is unwilling to accept all of its teachings.

I agree. The sad part is, I really think he just went through the classes so he could get a bigger discount on his kids’ schooling. He also belongs to a parish where they dont have a preist. They have some kind of coordinator that lives in the rectory with his family. They have a visiting priest come once a week.

Also, the boss did ask around if anyone wanted a cheese pizza. I would have gone that way but I don’t like Cheese pizza. If there isnt’ meat on it then its not worth eating (in my opinion) Plus, I wouldn’t have eaten a whole one by myself. Plus, I already had a tuna sandwich in my lunch box. Our boss is a good guy.

 

[Little_Mary]

T.A.Stobie:

I hope he order a cheese pizza without meats for the faithful catholics. Better bosses are aware and check with their people. When I order pizza for a group I check preferences and try to meet any dietary restrictions and have something everyone can eat.

Ideal. but if pizza with meat on it is the only choice, how hard is it to pick the meat off before you eat it?

 

[kquinn]

In addition to what 1ke (and others) have said, I heard this somewhere and it makes utter sense: “We would diet for a healthier body, why won’t we fast/abstain for a healthier soul.”

Just a thought,
k

 

[Sir_Knight]

redtech:

He basically said that “if he gets to the pearly gates and they don’t let him in because of something that he ate, then he was doing pretty good”

I think that he would sing a different tune if he ever saw the alternative to heaven. Saints who have seen images of hell were terrified beyond belief by it. Also, according to the lives of the saints, it is the people who do not believe in hell or who arrogantly think that they will not go there are the ones who are mostlikely to end up in hell.

redtech:

He also said that he didn’t have to follow church laws

If he doesn’t think that Jesus gave the Catholic church the keyes to the kingdom of heaven, then why did he even bother to become a Catholic?

redtech:

and he wasn’t ever going to give up eating meat on Fridays.

Our Msgr talked about this very topic two days ago at Tuesday Mass – he said that Christ said that unless we do penance, we will not enter His Father’s kindgom. And the quote our Msrg … “If you’re not going to heaven, where the hell do you think you’ll end up?”

 

[rkberlin]

Hi, don’t we all wish we had? I think as a cradle Catholic ( myself included ) you don’t -in general- have the same understanding as those who learn about the faith when they’re older. I watched and listened in amazement when my friend went through RCIA last year, and I cried during Easter Vigil just thinking of her. She taught me things I didn’t know. I taught Sunday School, and that helped me to learn things I don’t remember from religion class or didn’t even learn anyway.

redtech:

Thanks 1ke, I know I have a lot to learn in my faith too. I really with I’d paid more attention in religion class.

I got caught cheating on an apostle test in 7th grade.

 

[LittleDeb]

1ke:

We abstain from flesh meats as a penance and a rememberance of Good Friday, when Jesus died on the Cross-- he gave up his flesh for the life of the world. There are some good articles on New Advent, the old Catholic encyclopedia, regarding the origins of penances.

Thank you 1ke! Cradle Catholic here with cradle Catholic parents and I’ve never heard that. It makes so much sense! I abstained out of obedience because it wasn’t hard for me anyway, (not a big meat eater.) A big struggle for my convert husand. He’s not an omnivore. He is pure carnivore!

I can’t wait to find out more and tell my dh. Thanks again!

 

[MercedesBents]

“what he does is none of my business”

No more needs to be said, unless you feel your boss or any other co-worker is harassing you and/or creating a hostile work environment, in which case you need to notify HR so s/he can be “advised” that they are opening up their employer to a lawsuit.

By the way, may I vent? I’m not Catholic but it really burns my britches that someone who’s minding their own business and trying to do what’s right according to their belief system and not bothering anyone else is made to feel guilty by someone who’s not.

If your boss or anyone else continues to do this, notify HR as I mentioned about, and document, document, DOCUMENT every instance of this happening.