It’s a Friday Night Delight

On a bright Summer Sunday not very long ago, I jokingly asked our Pastor if I could order a nice steak on Friday for our wedding anniversary and just say a Rosary as penance instead. His answer surprised me.

The universal abstention from meat on Fridays is no longer practiced in most American Catholic homes. I have my own theory as to why things are more lax in America than other places, a scolding for another day. Part of the problem is that many Americans think Friday Penance no longer exists. Oh but it does. The reason behind penance on all Fridays never went away. The change that was made was that the Conference of Bishops could determine what form that penance should be. Within the Latin Church, abstaining from meat on all Fridays is still the practice. Within the Roman Right in the US, the Conference of Bishops did two things that muddied the waters for the faithful. First, they ignored the wording of Cannon Law, and chose not to come up with an alternative form of penance but rather left it up to individuals. Second, the stigma of “sin” was removed. In our particular Diocese, much to my surprise, we can choose between abstaining or performing a charitable act on Fridays. He said if I were to have a steak, I should put the cost of that steak dinner in the collection plate or perform some other act of charity. I’ve got to tell you, while we will still continue to abstain on Fridays, I really like the idea of being more charitable as a form of penance. Just think how much the world would improve if we were all a bit more charitable?

Here’s to Fridays! The point of penance on Friday really is a simple one – by abstaining from meat, you are physically aware of the day – Friday. The day our Lord made the ultimate sacrifice for all. So that tuna sandwiches isn’t such a sacrifice in comparison, is it?

And when Friday Night is this delicious, there’s no sacrifice involved. Lord, I love you with all my heart, all my soul. Let me bend to Your will in all things.

Garlicky Lemon Baked Tilapia
4 Tilapia Filet
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
5 tablespoons Butter
2 Garlic Cloves
Red Pepper Flakes to taste
2 Lemons
Parsley for garnish

Heat oven to 400-degrees. Season tilapia with sand and pepper. Place filets on a small rimmed baking sheet.

Melt butter, peel an mince garlic. Cut 1 lemon in half. Juice and zest half a lemon. Slice remaining lemons into rounds. Set aside. Mix butter, garlic, pepper flakes, lemon juice and zest together.

Pour buttery mixture over the fish. Place lemon rounds on top of and around tilapia. Place in the heated oven to bake for about 11 minutes, or until fish is fork tender.

Serve with Rice Pilaf and Green Beans

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The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.