Soy Meat on Lenten Fridays

[hawksnest23]

Does eating soy-meat and other meat-imitation products violate the practice of abstinence from meat? If not literally, would you consider it to violate the spirit of law, especially if it’s particularly good at imitating the taste of meat? Your thoughts are appreciated!

 

[Trishie]

You already realize that eating meat-imitation products does not contravene the letter of the law, thus technically it’s not a problem,
but in raising a question of the spirit of the law, It might seem to be honorable to avoid meat-imitation products.
For reliable guidance you would ask your priest.

However, you may find this link to be helpful especially the paragraphs under the heading

Christ Died for Our Salvation on Friday

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-wor...toral-statement-on-penance-and-abstinence.cfm

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Following the letter of the law, rather than the spirit of the law is a spiritual foul.

In my area, seafood and lobster are extremely common, but still can be quite pricey. In short, they are luxury foods. But I can’t tell you how many otherwise devout people will mental gymnastics their way to eating lobster on even Good Friday. We are called to be penetant. This means truly humble meals.

If it’s pizza, let it be plain cheese, not veggie supreme with fine spices.

If it’s pasta, let it be uncomplicated–not artisan stuffed shells with exotic sauce and garlic crostini

If it’s soup, let it be a simple one–not something that you’d not ordinarily buy.

There are copious amounts of vegetarian dishes that spare no expense. These are not for Lent. Good ole’ rice and beans, however, would fit the bill.

That is following both the letter of the law and the spirit. Lent is not a time to treat oneself to luxury, including faux meat, which is much pricier than natural meat.

 

[DarkLight]

Having tasted fake meat, I’m really not sure why you’d want to do this. I have a principle never to eat anything that’s pretending to be meat.

 

[Pug]

On the spiritual side, if I am trying to be penitential, I would not care how much like meat it tasted or appeared. I would instead worry about if it was my favorite food or instead if it was simply a way to nourish my family without complaint or having to prepare a alternate entree. I would not eat my favorite food when being penitential. If I am just using it to nourish and stop the griping at the table, fine.

I handle lent differently depending on if I am alone or in a group.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Having tasted fake meat, I’m really not sure why you’d want to do this. I have a principle never to eat anything that’s pretending to be meat.

The morning star brand things are not bad. I was having a tough time with grease and went to faux meat for a while for burgers. I loved the Dominix eggplant meatballs. They were the only ones I could eat for a while. I made my own, but it was a heck of a lot of work.

 

[pianistclare]

The point is sacrifice.

 

[tawny]

As Clare said, Sacrifice. Isn’t that what it’s all about.

 

[DarkLight]

I’d say in most cases it’s better to try to do something that’s a sacrifice for you. If fake meat tastes just like real meat to you, or almost just like it, I’d avoid it. Same with seafood as well - I wouldn’t treat yourself to seafood on a lenten friday.

I have broken that rule where I felt charity or health called for it, but I try to keep it otherwise.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

I’d say in most cases it’s better to try to do something that’s a sacrifice for you. If fake meat tastes just like real meat to you, or almost just like it, I’d avoid it. Same with seafood as well - I wouldn’t treat yourself to seafood on a lenten friday.

I have broken that rule where I felt charity or health called for it, but I try to keep it otherwise.

YES!

Those who are ill are NOT called to do the penance.

I cannot tell you how many people have had to deal with nonsense idiots who criticized a pregnant or nursing woman.

Or, the seriously ill. I had an emergency surgery to remove my appendix. I was single at the time and my family was far. My friend, with 4 little children, got me to and from the hospital. That night, not knowing the day, she tossed in some frozen pizzas.

Her husband came home when we’re halfway done eating and he started chiding her. She’s not even 5 feet and he’s nearly 6 and she about laid him out flat with a tongue lashing. She’d forgotten had run circles all day helping me and taking care of her own children…and the children were quite young and I was still quite ill…mercy, people. Mercy.

But he’d never been taught that one could apply a bit of common sense to a situation.

 

[DarkLight]

But he’d never been taught that one could apply a bit of common sense to a situation.

Yup.

Especially in dealing with non-Catholics, I also try to apply charity. If my non-Catholic family or friends go out of their way to provide a no-meat alternative, knowing that I can’t eat meat that day, I’m hardly going to reject it for not being penitential enough. Better to eat and thank them for the thought.