McFish Sandwiches and Fish Fridays

Growing up, my school served fish patties every Friday throughout the year. At some point it changed to fish on Fridays during Lent. I really never made any connection with when and why they served fish on Fridays. McDonald's and other fast food chains have special sales on their McFish, BK Fish, TacoFish or whatever fish sandwich is on their menu.

I understand a little more about meatless Fridays and the Lenten season. While some scholars point to biblical passages where Jesus ate fish and fed the multitudes with the miracle of fishes and loaves, author Charles Panati says the tradition of eating fish on meatless Fridays only dates to the 16th Century.

"There is nothing sacred or profound about the tradition of meatless Friday," Panati writes in his book, "Sacred Origins of Profound Things." "Its origins were purely economic. ... With a meat shortage in England and a struggling fish industry, Parliament, with backing from the Church of England, ordered people to replace meat meals on Fridays with a fish dish. Roman Catholics adopted the personal sacrifice and made it mandatory."

Vatican II Council upheld meatless Fridays, but only during Lent. I am not certain what to classify fish as if it is not a meat: a vegetable? fruit? grain? Fish the "other" non-meat I guess.

The purpose of meatless Fridays during Lent is an act of penance; a discipline or devotion of giving up something as an act of showing sorrow for sins.

River of Life Church is an evangelical, charismatic, protestant, non-denominational church. That is a long way of saying that we are not Catholic. We do not observe Lent, but recognize the significance of this season leading up to Easter and fifty days later, Pentecost Sunday.

Jesus Christ, is our high priest and it is to Him that we confess our sins.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
However, we are not as consistent to obey confessing our sins to one another so that we may be healed.
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

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How does this work? If I scrape your car in the parking lot, tell God about it, place a note on your windshield which says, "Sorry about your car. I confessed it to God and got it all worked out." the problem is not resolved. I need to confess it to you and pay the repairs!

In the same way, I bring my sin before Jesus and to the person it has affected. I say what I did, apologize, and pledge to make it right. Doing this as a regular part of our lives will bring a spiritual, physical, and emotional healing in our lives and the lives of those around us.

Enjoy a meatless, fish sandwich today and make fresh confession whenever and wherever necessary.

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