Jaswinder Paul, bought a package labelled as lamb roast from Countdown Blenheim at the end of September, then cooked and ate the contents before discovering the meat was beef Read more

This tradition persists in the Orthodox Churches where even today fasting is characterised by abstinence from all animal products.

But while abstaining from meat in the Roman tradition is mainly associated with the sacrifice of the Cross (the Friday penance), in the Orthodox tradition the fast is also a prefiguration of life in paradise, where ‘the wolf shall live with the lamb … and a little child shall lead them' (Isaiah 11:6).

In this way it becomes an act of reconciliation between humanity and the natural world, a restoration of a relationship which has suffered because of the sin of Adam and Eve.

I believe that the meaning of a Lenten fast can be deepened by reflecting on this ancient practice of meat abstinence in the light of reconciliation with creation.

Lent is a time to reflect on our habits, and to become free from habits that are harmful to ourselves and others in order to become healthier people, in body and in spirit.

However, Lent is not an end in itself. It prepares the Christian to become an Easter-person by instilling habits that make one free to live, by the grace of God, a life of charity and justice.

To fast to this effect, the physical fast of Lent must be accompanied by what Origen calls a ‘spiritual fasting', which is characterised by two dimensions: exercise in the virtue of temperance and the avoidance of sin. Continue reading.

Source: Thinking Faith

Image: vegetables.co.nz

Auxiliary Bishop Peter Elliott of Melbourne, Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett of Lismore and Bishop Michael Kennedy of Armidale are among prelates who would back the change.

Friday penance regulations were relaxed in Australia in 1985, allowing Catholics to perform an alternative form of penance.

This was in accord with teaching by Pope Paul VI on penance and with the 1983 Code of Canon Law.

Looking back at the decision to end Friday abstinence in Australia, Bishop Elliott said it was a "big pastoral and spiritual mistake".

"I can understand why that happened, in the mood of that era, but I believe it failed to take into account human psychology," he said.

"Allowing people to work out some penance was idealistic and unrealistic," Bishop Elliott said.

Since the change, Bishop Elliott said, most Catholics are unaware of or have forgotten the obligation entirely.

Having the Church decide what penance should be done would make it easier to remember and would promote stronger Catholic identity, he said.

Some bishops worry that the practice of Friday penance by Catholics has all but disappeared.

There has been no formal discussion on the issue at the Australian Catholic bishops' conference level.

In 2011, the Catholic bishops of England and Wales restored Friday abstinence.

Sources:

• National Catholic Reporter
• EWTN
• Image: Suffering with Joy