AmericanPapist Comments
I like it. But then, I recall the old TWA getting a dispensation from Friday abstinence for its passengers and crews. See CLD VI: 685. It's a great Church.
"...A world in which people are forced to consume horrible, tasteless, microwaved excuses for nutrition in their frenzied pursuit of wealth, happiness and fullfillment?"
C'Mon my dear fellow papist. Fast food serves even the most faithful and childlike Catholics. First, it's not horrible (people buy it don't they?). Second, it's not tasteless (people eat it don't they?). And no one is forced to eat or buy it. I will concede that it might be microwaved, but since when were microwaves bad? Do you have a problem with washing machines too? Furthermore, no one claimed that it was more nutritious that other foods, just convenient, and (more importantly) licit to those who abstain on Fridays during Lent.
I think you're giving KFC an undeserved bad rap. You're treating them like they just unveiled drive-thru eucharist.
As someone who loves fish (and meat) the thought of any "fast food" attempt at an equivalency is enough to send shudders down my spine. It's rather like the thought of drinking fine wine from a styrofoam cup. Maybe if one was starving, but not even then. Now for a platter of Greek smelts!
May the Gates of Kroc not prevail against us!
Jake V, fair warning: in offbeat posts I tend towards hyperbole. :)
Jake,
Just because people buy fast food and eat it doesn't mean it's "not horrible"; it's actually pretty bad --- despite the delicious chemical taste--- food, if you can really call it that. And I don't think AP is treating KFC like they just "unveiled the drive thru eucharist"-- great analogy, though-- do you order diet coke with your bigmac?
What I gather AP is trying to say is that, although convenient, why aren't these faithful Catholics slowing down and reflecting on their lives, making efforts to wholly participate in the Lenten season? Why don't people prepare sit-down family meals to fast together or even think about their actions instead of blindly shoving a fish sandwhich down their throats because "we can't have meat today". How many Catholics even know the origin of this abstinence anyway?
Food for thought.
I'm very, very ready to admit--and am surprised at the number of people who won't--that I love crappy food like this. It's terrible for one. It can't compare with a gourmet meal. It's barely real "food", in terms of its nutritional value or the time I take to savour it. But it's full of fat and salt, and that's tasty to us. Yum! I love KFC. It's fried stuff. C'mon. Fried stuff is always fried stuff--appealing, and for all the wrong reasons.
I categorise it differently than other foods, and eat it seldom. Really, that's all one has to do. And when, somehow, I magically have both the time and the wherewithal to slow down enough to make every meal a fabulous occasion, hey, I'll do it. But meanwhile, it's nice to see another option to help keep meatless Fridays!
Of course, I'm a true peasant, so I may simply not have the refined palate other AP folk have! :-D
I'll admit that I'm really craving a Wendy's spicy chicken sandwich today. :)
I'd rather fast all day than eat those fishburgers. They're disgusting. So instead of eating fast food, I think I'll fast from fast food...
What's a poor Protestant to do when her nose is pressed up against the Catholic glass? I don't mind fishburgers, but I did grow up eating Lake Erie perch...
Oops...I spilled my styrofoam cup all over the...AWWW, C'MON MAN!!! Now all that Fine Wine (TM) is dribblin' over my keyboard!!!
Well, at least I still got my DE-licious Filet O Fish...that's right, my fellow Papists....FINE WINE in a STYROFOAM CUP serving as the tastebud tantalyzing compliment to my decadence-bordering, sumptuous FILET O FISH!!......if this is penance I gotta get me some more!!!!!!! Oh yeah...come to daddy...
NAT!
Brethren! Sistern! Can you not see the opportunity to evangelise this presents?
For, when sitting down to consume your very own special Friday Fish Snacker at your local KFC, you can grab the chance to tell the stories of the Feeding of the Five Thousand with Five Loaves and Two Fish (about the same proportion as KFC would get out of their ingredients), or the meal of fish and bread flame-grilled over a charcoal fire that Our Lord prepared for His disciples in their busy lives as small businessmen running a fishermen's co-operative.
I admit, the Scriptures are silent on tartare sauce, but I leave this to those more skilled in exegesis to work out.
I had a veggie burger today. I'm afraid I don't find fast-food fish sandwiches very penitential. :)
I have yet to try anything Tofu on Fridays, but I agree, something about "having it my way" doesn't seem too penitential. Ha!
Madame Sosostris is right again.
My heart skipped a beat the last time I went through the Boston Market's drive thru. There on the menu board were the words, "Fish dinner served from February 16 thru Easter."
I found this announcement thrilling. This company is owned by McD's and has very tasty food.
Fascinating post. I was born and patially raised in Cincinnati - those were the glory days of the city when everyone was 'practicing!'
Oops, sorry, I misspelled 'partially', my spelling sounds like I have a major MA accent!
Why wait for Friday? These are scrumptious! ummmmmmmmm......[chewing noises]....gotta find me some champagne and a travel mug....mmmmmmmm......[more chewing noises]......remember everyone, it ain't Lent on Sunday!
goofy ol'
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