The Old Testament stated that pigs are unclean (or impure) and therefore should not be eaten (Lev. 11:7). However, Jesus said that Christians can eat everything (Mk. 7:18-19), although gluttony or greed should be avoided. There are days of abstinence, when Catholics generally refrain from eating meat. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are examples of such mandatory abstinence days.
In order to live consciously with God, it is helpful to eat and drink less from time to time. This is called fasting. We do this especially during the forty days before Easter. In this way we remind ourselves and show the world that God’s love, rather than food and drink, is the most important thing in life.
