Meatless (non-Lent) Fridays and dinner invitations

[paperwight66]

I tend to have steamed cod or salmon or grilled sea bass on Friday. Love it.

Me too. I love fish. It really is no penance at all to eat fish. Balanced diet and all that, as well.

I really think the England and Wales Bishops didn’t think this through, to be honest. It’s not as if fish is cheaper than meat, either (although, of course, I realise that the request was not to eat meat, and not specifically to eat fish - eggs would be cheaper).

 

[O_Lumen]

My Italian Grandmother - who was a faithful catholic, but hated piousness, legalism and hypocrisy - told me when I was young “The sin isn’t what goes into your mouth, but what comes out”. I have never forgotten her words.

More than just words are sinful.

I don’t necessarily need to use words to mow down dozens of people with an assault rifle. I hope you’ll agree that that’s a sin.

So clearly, actions are sinful, too.

… and eating is an action. And so is disobedience to legitimate authority.

… and it’s a shame that disobedience is justified by slanders that come out of one’s mouth like, “oh, you’re just a pious, legalistic hypocrite.”

 

[liturgyluver]

More than just words are sinful.

I don’t necessarily need to use words to mow down dozens of people with an assault rifle. I hope you’ll agree that that’s a sin.

So clearly, actions are sinful, too.

… and eating is an action. And so is disobedience to legitimate authority.

… and it’s a shame that disobedience is justified by slanders that come out of one’s mouth like, “oh, you’re just a pious, legalistic hypocrite.”

This isn"t about judging others or encouraging disobedience, but recognising that there is a sometimes a balance between obedience and the (name removed by moderator)act on other people. Jesus warned against piousness, legalism (and self-righteousness) many, many times. The example that Paperwright gave above is, in my view, a good example of when humility rather than slavish obedience can be a more appropriate way to behave.

 

[ProVobis]

This isn"t about judging others or encouraging disobedience, but recognising that there is a sometimes a balance between obedience and the** (name removed by moderator)act on other people**.

Yes, and that’s the kicker. Some want to dictate the rules, some will succumb to others’ rules. Thus one can say we’re trying to make an impact on them, not vice versa.

Jesus warned against piousness, legalism (and self-righteousness) many, many times.

While this seems to be the prevailing thought, one can also say that sports like football, soccer, and baseball can be played without chalk marks in the grass. However, sooner or later, they would become more than desirable. Same with abstaining from meat on Friday. We need some measure of the penance that is prescribed by the Church. We don’t seem to like vague penances like “do something nice for someone” (like I have experienced myself in confession). How do you know when it’s been accomplished?

 

[liturgyluver]

Yes, and that’s the kicker. Some want to dictate the rules, some will succumb to others’ rules. Thus one can say we’re trying to make an impact on them, not vice versa.

While this seems to be the prevailing thought, one can also say that sports like football, soccer, and baseball can be played without chalk marks in the grass. However, sooner or later, they would become more than desirable. Same with abstaining from meat on Friday. We need some measure of the penance that is prescribed by the Church. We don’t seem to like vague penances like “do something nice for someone” (like I have experienced myself in confession). How do you know when it’s been accomplished?

Good point, my friend.