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Q: Why do Catholics abstain from meat during Lent

The question in the title was asked in a Christian social media forum. The answer I gave, copied here assumes exposure to Christian Tradition.

The practice of fasting and prayer has been around for a long time. It is mentioned in the Bible a lot. It is a sign for penance, mourning, focus on prayer for urgent needs, restoration to right relationship with God, and taking up our crosses to follow Christ Jesus.
There are many persecuted Christians in the world today. They are strengthened by our prayer and fasting. There are many situations where God is mocked, situations we have little control over. The most powerful thing Christians can do is fast and pray. We have all failed at times to be light in this crooked generation. When we pray, Christ pours out His Mercy and Grace. There are many suffering in the world today. God still heals. God still does miraculous things when we fast and pray. Satan and the other evil spirits prowl the world seeking souls to destroy. By fasting and prayer we cast them out in the name of Jesus Christ. There are crises among our clergy, situations where they can be overcome by the Devil, but when we fast and pray, they are strengthened and can remain faithful even when those around them fall.
How many times did the Israelites observe a time of fasting and prayer in a crisis, and didn't the results of their prayer show us that prayer and fasting is effective? When the disciples had difficulty casting a demon out, didn't Jesus tell them that to cast such a demon out required fasting and prayer?
In fasting and prayer, we make small sacrifices in union with Our Lord Jesus Christ, the suffering servant.
We grow in our faith, miracles happen, and many are restored to communion with God when we undertake to fast and pray as a Church.
Whether Catholic or not, the Devil thinks he is going to win; he has the Church on the ropes. We are on our knees, but like Christ did on Easter Day, we will rise up stronger and ready to change the world through faith. Eleven men were present at the Great Commission. By the end of their lifetimes, the Gospel had spread into India and China, present day Spain and France, Across Northern Africa and South into the heart of that continent, Present day Greece, Turkey, Italy, Persia, Syria. The Apostles and other disciples of Christ including His mother were fasting and praying in the Upper Room for the Holy Spirit to come upon them in power, and the Spirit came, Peter boldly declared the Gospel and the other disciples translated his sermon into languages they had never learned, and 3,000 of the diaspora and inhabitants of Jerusalem believed and joined the Church.
We need fasting and prayer. If ever there was a time when it was important, it is now!
Join the Church in fasting and prayer these forty days of Lent. It is the most effective thing you can do today.
After reading back over my answer, I think it is encouraging. I hope it will encourage you, the reader. 

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