re: What is meaning behind no meat Fridays during Lent?

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Abstinence and fasting are separate things, even though abstinence can be considered a sacrifice.

For all the ridicule it gets, actually being committed to the practice of not eating meat on Fridays, even though seafood is allowed, is more difficult than it sounds. It requires being prepared and changing your normal habits. In that way, it is a reminder about the special season of Lent.

What’s also notable is that for many Catholics who have stopped practicing and don’t go to church, the one practice that they maintain is getting ashes on Ash Wednesday and abstaining from meat on Fridays in Lent.

There is something very organic and bodily about this practice that affects people in emotional and spiritual ways that can’t be easily explained.

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By switching from steak to fish on Fridays?

My FIL, who is Catholic, "sacrifices" on Fridays during lent only eating fish, when he fully lets every one know that fish is his favorite meal.

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Now, the people that openly state they are doing this or that because of Lent just to show that they are Catholic?

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Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward

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Catholics and their special little rules

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Yes, because Catholicism is the only religion with "special little rules"...

Surprised no one has offered up the big question!!
Are froglegs and alligator fish or meat?

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The Church asked Catholics to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent in memory of Good Friday/Jesus's sacrifice/Crucifixion. Meat was chosen as it was often a luxury item so, forgoing it's consumption was an act of penance/showing self control. The intent was deny yourself something earthly in order to strengthen yourself spiritually. You were showing you were willing to sacrifice something as act of penance. Replacing that luxury item with something equally as luxurious, despite it being kosher, makes the "sacrifice" meaningless IMO

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This. I usually eat pb&j, grill cheese, cereal, fish sandwich, or fish sticks. We go out once during lent and celebrate. IMHO, we don’t, or I don’t sacrifice enough for Christ. He went thru it for all of us.

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By switching from steak to fish on Fridays?

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It’s not as simple as that may sound.

First of all, I’m not eating at a restaurant for 2-3 meals every Friday of Lent. I actually don’t eat out that much. And even if I did, not all restaurants are the type to have either or both of steaks and quality fish.

So most of my food is something I have to planned for, shop, and cook myself.

For example, last week when I went to the store, I made sure to buy some canned tuna and ingredients to make tuna fish salad for my lunches this week. I made the tuna salad on Monday, because I knew if I waited until the last minute on Wednesday, I’d probably just make my usual of ham or meat leftovers for lunch on Wednesday and Friday. I also made some Tilapia ahead of time so to be prepared.

When I got ready for work today, I knew my coworkers would want to go to lunch at a restaurant, so I checked to make sure the place had shrimp or fish or vegetarian options. Many burger joints don’t.

Again, for all of the ridicule, I know that it actually is a special sacrifice of sorts, and it’s a reminder for me that my life is not my own. I must live in a way that is pleasing to God and not just myself. Even though there is nothing special about meat eating in and of itself that makes it the proper food to be excluded from my diet.

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I'm Catholic and this is a nonsense, man-made rule

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Any other kind?

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Fun Fact: Orthodox Christians also abstain from sex on Fridays during Lent.

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Guess that makes me orthodox.