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Objection 1: It would seem unfitting that those who fast should be
bidden to abstain from flesh meat, eggs, and milk foods. For it has
been stated above (Article 6) that fasting was instituted as a curb
on the concupiscence of the flesh. Now concupiscence is kindled by
drinking wine more than by eating flesh; according to Prov.
20:1, "Wine is a luxurious thing," and Eph. 5:18, "Be
not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury." Since then those who fast
are not forbidden to drink wine, it seems that they should not be
forbidden to eat flesh meat.
Objection 2: Further, some fish are as delectable to eat as the
flesh of certain animals. Now "concupiscence is desire of the
delectable," as stated above (FS, Question 30, Article 1).
Therefore since fasting which was instituted in order to bridle
concupiscence does not exclude the eating of fish, neither should it
exclude the eating of flesh meat.
Objection 3: Further, on certain fasting days people make use of
eggs and cheese. Therefore one can likewise make use of them during
the Lenten fast.
On the contrary, stands the common custom of the faithful.
I answer that, As stated above (Article 6), fasting was
instituted by the Church in order to bridle the concupiscences of the
flesh, which regard pleasures of touch in connection with food and
sex. Wherefore the Church forbade those who fast to partake of those
foods which both afford most pleasure to the palate, and besides are a
very great incentive to lust. Such are the flesh of animals that take
their rest on the earth, and of those that breathe the air and their
products, such as milk from those that walk on the earth, and eggs
from birds. For, since such like animals are more like man in body,
they afford greater pleasure as food, and greater nourishment to the
human body, so that from their consumption there results a greater
surplus available for seminal matter, which when abundant becomes a
great incentive to lust. Hence the Church has bidden those who fast
to abstain especially from these foods.
Reply to Objection 1: Three things concur in the act of
procreation, namely, heat, spirit [P. I., Q. 118,
Article 1, ad 3], and humor. Wine and other things that heat the
body conduce especially to heat: flatulent foods seemingly cooperate in
the production of the vital spirit: but it is chiefly the use of flesh
meat which is most productive of nourishment, that conduces to the
production of humor. Now the alteration occasioned by heat, and the
increase in vital spirits are of short duration, whereas the substance
of the humor remains a long time. Hence those who fast are forbidden
the use of flesh meat rather than of wine or vegetables which are
flatulent foods.
Reply to Objection 2: In the institution of fasting, the Church
takes account of the more common occurrences. Now, generally
speaking, eating flesh meat affords more pleasure than eating fish,
although this is not always the case. Hence the Church forbade those
who fast to eat flesh meat, rather than to eat fish.
Reply to Objection 3: Eggs and milk foods are forbidden to those
who fast, for as much as they originate from animals that provide us
with flesh: wherefore the prohibition of flesh meat takes precedence of
the prohibition of eggs and milk foods. Again the Lenten fast is the
most solemn of all, both because it is kept in imitation of Christ,
and because it disposes us to celebrate devoutly the mysteries of our
redemption. For this reason the eating of flesh meat is forbidden in
every fast, while the Lenten fast lays a general prohibition even on
eggs and milk foods. As to the use of the latter things in other fasts
the custom varies among different people, and each person is bound to
conform to that custom which is in vogue with those among whom he is
dwelling. Hence Jerome says [Augustine, De Lib. Arb. iii,
18; cf. De Nat. et Grat. lxvii]: "Let each province keep to
its own practice, and look upon the commands of the elders as though
they were the laws of the apostles."
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