Author Topic: monks (Read 2023 times)

ingenting · « **on:** August 10, 2012, 03:21:53 PM »

Why do some (Traditional) monks choose to not eat meat? and do they eat cheese (which contains rennet)? What's the purpose? I guess they're not into PETA.

Elizabeth · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2012, 04:10:10 PM »

Hopefully they are mortifying themselves by fasting from something delicious and hearty? The they are forced to rely on God alone for strength?

For me the question is how so many saints chose to eat rotten meat, eeep.

Mithrandylan · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2012, 04:27:33 PM »

I think it has something to do with red meat being believed to have aphrodisiac properties. I've heard as much, anyways.

Ascetik · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2012, 04:54:07 PM »

Yes, there is something about regular meat that stirs up the passions, but also meat used to be a delicacy until modern industrialization and industrialized meat farms. So it was a penance to give up such a fine delicacy, but also yes, meat does indeed rouse one towards the conjugal passions.

Fish does not have this effect as much for some reason.

ingenting · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2012, 12:39:32 AM »

Quote from: Elizabeth

Hopefully they are mortifying themselves by fasting from something delicious and hearty?

but vegetarian food can be really delicious, even more than meat can be.

Nadir · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2012, 02:09:14 AM »

Quote from: ingenting

Quote from: Elizabeth
Hopefully they are mortifying themselves by fasting from something delicious and hearty?

but vegetarian food can be really delicious, even more than meat can be.

And many people believe it is healthier. Plant food is more digestible and less acid forming than meat. Originally man was vegetarian. God gave them the plants for food.

And God said: Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed upon the earth, and all trees that have in themselves seed of their own kind, to be your meat: Gen 1:29

And the Lord God had planted a paradise of pleasure from the beginning: wherein he placed man whom he had formed. And the Lord God brought forth of the ground all manner of trees, fair to behold, and pleasant to eat of: Gen 2 8-9 :dancing-banana:

Nishant · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2012, 12:56:14 PM »

Nadir, but after the flood, God said this to Noah,

Gen 9:3 And everything that moves and lives shall be food for you: even as the green herbs have I delivered them all to you: 4 Saving that flesh with blood you shall not eat.

This is reiterated in the New Testament. But in any case, I agree with you and the posters here, the monks who in their ascetic life give up meat entirely have chosen a commendable discipline. I believe the general discipline enjoined on the lay members of the Eastern Catholic Churches is stricter than that on those of the Latin rite.

It is good to make frequent sacrifices and to abstain even from what is lawful, and above what the law of the Church requires, for if made in the right spirit and for the love of God, we are sure to advance in holiness. But this is a far cry from modern neo-pagan radical enviromentalists groups and their reasons for advocating the same thing.

Nadir · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2012, 05:36:35 PM »

Quote from: Nishant2011

Nadir, but after the flood, God said this to Noah,

Gen 9:3 And everything that moves and lives shall be food for you: even as the green herbs have I delivered them all to you: 4 Saving that flesh with blood you shall not eat.

This is reiterated in the New Testament. ......

Thank you, Nishan, for that quote, which I did not have the wherewithal to find last night, having returned from an emotional and difficult family event. I appreciate your quoting it.

So we see here that sin changed man's diet substantially, but God is an understanding God and knows our weakness and our needs. Many people cannot imagine that you can eat vegetarian and still be healthy, that meat is essential.

But whether we eat meat or completely abstain we still will one day get sick and die. Noone should make a dogmatic religion out of what we eat. We are of course always aware of our sinfullness .....and God's great Mercy.

Sigismund · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2012, 09:32:17 PM »

Quote from: Nishant2011

Nadir, but after the flood, God said this to Noah,

Gen 9:3 And everything that moves and lives shall be food for you: even as the green herbs have I delivered them all to you: 4 Saving that flesh with blood you shall not eat.

This is reiterated in the New Testament. But in any case, I agree with you and the posters here, the monks who in their ascetic life give up meat entirely have chosen a commendable discipline. I believe the general discipline enjoined on the lay members of the Eastern Catholic Churches is stricter than that on those of the Latin rite.

It is good to make frequent sacrifices and to abstain even from what is lawful, and above what the law of the Church requires, for if made in the right spirit and for the love of God, we are sure to advance in holiness. But this is a far cry from modern neo-pagan radical enviromentalists groups and their reasons for advocating the same thing.

Indeed it is. If the rules are fully followed, there are large chunks of the yrar when we cant eat meat.

I have found that I don't miss it too much, and eating more vegetables and fruit has certainly made me healthier.

Nishant · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2012, 12:36:32 PM »

Sure, Nadir. And I agree with you, it's true that this was not the case before the fall and even the flood, where God had like you said given man only vegetables and fruits to eat. Some texts of the prophets make it seem like that is the case in paradise. St.Philip Neri was a famous vegetarian.

Anyway, I'd still say while there can be good reasons to choose a strictly vegetarian diet, I'm not sure I'd say it is necessarily ideal for those of every vocation and profession.

Sigismund, thanks for confirming that. My grandfather is conspicuous for his healthy eating habits, and he's already lived to a ripe old age, by God's grace. Can you give us specifics about the general Byzantine discipline with regard to meat?

Belloc · « **Reply #10 on:** August 13, 2012, 02:47:56 PM »

Some Benedictines I hear adhere to a strict meatless diet, it might be a Rule......cannot locate @ this moment..

poche · « **Reply #11 on:** September 17, 2012, 04:09:26 AM »

Its a penitential discipline. In fact some of the monasteries who don't eat meat themselves will serve meat in their guest houses.