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Did Vatican II remove the requirement for not eating meat on Friday's? If so, why? If not (and in the first place), why is this a rule? When Christ said that we shouldn't make it obvious that we are fasting, then doesn't specifying a day to fast kinda like that too?
More importantly I guess is this: Did the Vatican II remove that requirement? If so, then how did they justify overturning a rule that was in existence for centuries - special revelation? Thanks for the help!
Col. Hapablap
To clarify this matter, let us look to the new Code of Canon Law (1983):
Canon 1251Hence, we see that the Church does still ask us to observe this practice. However, we also see that each Episcopal Conference has the ability to make a ruling regarding the actual practice, which means that while some form of abstinence or penance is performed, it may not take the form of the practice of "abstinence from meat". Usually, it is left up to the conscience of each Catholic, as to what form this penance will take... and the Catholic Church hopes that each person will understand and respond appropriately to the situation, which truly makes it a personal and private affair between the Catholic and God. In addition, it is recommended that the savings acrued from this abstinence of meat (or other product) go into a donation to the poor or some other charitable work, for our own sacrifices should go to help others, just as Jesus Christ's sacrifice led to our own redemption. Hence, we should honor His sacrifice as best we can, using Him as the perfect example.
Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
So, now onto why Catholics observe a day of abstinence or penance.
Catholics have given up eating meat on Fridays to commemorate and honor the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ on Good Friday. In addition, we do it because we are following Christ's instructions to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him (Matt 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23). It is a practice that dates back to the very earliest days of the Christian Church and as such, would not even fall under the anti-catholic'sls label of "Catholic man-made law". Tertullian and Clement of Alexandria both mention it in their writings.
I don't think any Christian would deny that Christ Himself told us to fast (Matt 6:17-18), that Christ Himself fasted (Matt 4:1-2) as did the Apostle Paul `... in hunger and thirst, in fastings often...'' (2 Cor. 11:27).
And as for making it obvious... Jesus was clearly referring to those who would fast and then walk around making it obvious that they were on a fast. Acting weak of body, dressing poorly (as if they did not have the energy to dress themselves properly) and other "showmanship". Observing a universal day of fasting is in no way flaunting our sacrifices.
And lastly, lest the Catholic Church be called cruel to the younger or older members of Her body, the abstinence from meat is not binding on all Catholics. Young children, the elderly, the infirm and all those who have nothing to subsist on aside from meat are all excused from this practice.
