Lenten Dietary Practices

Lobster and citrus glazed salmon on meatless Fridays?

Back in the day Catholics had to abstain from meat on all Fridays (not just during Lent), but back in the 1980s this was relaxed and the faithful could instead take on another penitential practice on Fridays outside Lent. But even in Lent what's to say I can't have lobster or coconut shrimp? It is technically "legal"...

Religious dietary restrictions are ancient. The Hebrew scriptures are filled with them. Some practices began because there was no refrigeration so it was better to have laws preventing the consumption of certain foods than to risk disease. These worked their way into religious ritual and practice. And food has always been a symbol of fellowship and community. Sharing table was a sign of love and joy. It's why the Last Supper was likely more a joyful occasion among friends (we see it more sorrowful from the lens of knowing how the story ends).

Back to meatless Fridays... What if I don't eat much meat in general so it's not much of a sacrifice? Besides, I make great tasty meatless meals! — Well, it's not so much about the meat. Religious dietary practices like abstinence or fasting are about building a spiritual awareness and discipline. That's partly why Muslims avoid pork and Mormons abstain from caffeine. And, some Buddhist monks avoid solid foods after noon. Food is one of God's life-giving gifts. The ritual of abstaining from meat on Fridays (in Catholicism) ties us to religions all over the world and throughout history. Sometimes just the participating in such a practice along with millions of others brings meaning. It reminds us that food is communal and it is gift. This is what your meatless Friday dietary practice ought to offer.

Here's a great practice for Lent: Mindful Eating. Also, Fran Rossi Szpylczyn writes a beautiful post on her blog about eating and fasting as an act of compassion.

Eastern Spirituality

Making Eastern meditation more Christian