Can I eat meat on Ash Wednesday?
Many people choose to give up meat for Lent.
Most people know that today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent. But what does that mean? If you have seen people walking around with gray smudges on their heads and wondered what’s going on, these facts will help bring you up to speed with Lent and Ash Wednesday so you don’t appear totally clueless.
Even some people who consider themselves belonging to one of the Christian denominations that observe Lent are not sure what the rules are. For instance, many people are not sure whether they can eat meat on Ash Wednesday. Do I have to give up sweets? Should I start saving cash now? Do I have to quit drinking until Easter? Here are the answers to those questions, plus a few more.
Different strokes
It is impossible to definitively say what are the rules for Lent and Ash Wednesday because a whole lot of different Christian denominations observe it, and they all have different rules. For instance, the Roman Catholic do not eat meat on Ash Wednesday. However, Ash Wednesday is observed by Catholics, Episcopalians, Methodists, Baptists and Lutherans, just to name a few.
Catholics and Roman Catholics consider Ash Wednesday a day of fasting — but even that means different things to different people. Some interpretations of “fasting” include eating and drinking nothing, consuming only bread and water or having only one meal. Some Roman Catholics fast throughout Lent. Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, which lasts until Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday, Lent’s beginning, is always 46 days (40 days not including Sundays) before Easter Sunday.
Various observances
Traditionally, those who observe Lent choose give up something, such as sweets, meat or alcohol. Others observe by giving up a bad habit such as gossiping, nail biting or being messy. Still others observe Lent by doing something, such as community service, or developing a good habit rather than giving something up.
This year, the leaders of the Church of England are calling for the faithful to go on a “Carbon Fast” and do things that are good for the environment. Some suggestions are cutting back on the use of technology, eating less meat or using less water.
What’s with the forehead ashes?
Many people place a cross made from ashes on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday. Generally the ashes are blessed in a ceremony and applied by a priest or minister who says something about turning away from sin. The ashes symbolize repentance, confession and penitence.
The ashes also symbolize mourning, or sorrow for sins and faults. Roman Catholic philosophy says anyone who wishes to receive ashes can do so. However, the Catholic Church says only the faithful should wear ashes.
