Let them eat Fish!

Being raised Roman Catholic in southwestern PA, I am no stranger to fish fries during Lent.  I have visited many and definitely have my favorites  Today I read about no less than 15 different options for places to go for a fish dinner tonight. Some churches, some restaurants, and even some local non-profits are offering fish, seafood and other non-meat fair. Every year, I wait patiently to get my hands on some homemade pierogies (yes I know it can be spelled a thousand ways so I just picked one.) They are my absolute favorite Lenten favorite.


I struggle with the local traditions of seafood feasts and big fish dinners.  My god mother would be proud that I actually looked up the theology behind the Catholic tradition of no meat on Fridays.  In the past it was every Friday not just during Lent.  The purpose of abstaining from meat was one of penance.  I will include the definition of penance just because...


noun

1.

a punishment undergone in token of penitence for sin.

So I struggle with how indulging in fish dinners that I really enjoy and splurging on fish and seafood that I don't buy as much during the rest of the year is a penance.  I love fish, I love a lot of vegetarian meals. Sorry but not eating meat is not a penance for me. Maybe being forced to eat bologna sandwiches for dinner would be a penance. On the other hand, spending the day doing Laundry is a penance without a doubt. 

I will continue not to eat meat on Fridays during lent, but I have decided that another form of "penance" is  essential if I am to reflect of the true goal of the Lenten season . Extra  prayer, giving up something I love to help others. I have committed to each of those.  I realize there are other reasons that eating fish can be beneficial during lent. For me, I think of it in terms of What Would Jesus Eat?  Most likely it was fish! And after all the goal is to lead a life more like Jesus did right?? So if even just during lent, I eat fish more often just to remind me to lead a life more like Jesus who gave so much for others, I'm going to indulge.