Respondeo dicendum quod, sicut supra dictum est, ieiunium ad duo ordinatur, scilicet ad deletionem culpae, et ad elevationem mentis in superna. Et ideo illis temporibus specialiter fuerunt ieiunia indicenda in quibus oportebat homines a peccato purgari, et mentem fidelium elevari in Deum per devotionem. Quod quidem praecipue imminet ante paschalem solemnitatem. In qua et culpae per Baptismum relaxantur, qui solemniter in vigilia Paschae celebratur, quando recolitur dominica sepultura, quia per Baptismum consepelimur Christo in mortem, ut dicitur Rom. VI. In festo etiam Paschae maxime oportet mentem hominis per devotionem elevari ad aeternitatis gloriam, quam Christus resurgendo inchoavit. Et ideo immediate ante solemnitatem paschalem Ecclesia statuit esse ieiunandum, et eadem ratione, in vigiliis praecipuarum festivitatum, in quibus praeparari nos oportet ad festa futura devote celebranda. Similiter etiam consuetudo ecclesiastica habet ut in singulis quartis anni sacri ordines conferantur (in cuius signum, dominus quatuor millia hominum de septem panibus satiavit, per quos significatur annus novi testamenti, ut Hieronymus dicit ibidem), ad quorum susceptionem oportet per ieiunium praeparari et eos qui ordinant, et illos qui ordinandi sunt, et etiam totum populum, pro cuius utilitate ordinantur. Unde et legitur, Lucae VI, quod dominus, ante discipulorum electionem, exivit in montem orare, quod exponens Ambrosius, dicit, quid te facere convenit cum vis aliquod officium pietatis adoriri quando Christus, missurus apostolos, prius oravit? I answer that, As stated above (AA. 1, 3), fasting is directed to two things, the deletion of sin, and the raising of the mind to heavenly things. Wherefore fasting ought to be appointed specially for those times, when it behooves man to be cleansed from sin, and the minds of the faithful to be raised to God by devotion: and these things are particularly requisite before the feast of Easter, when sins are loosed by baptism, which is solemnly conferred on Easter-eve, on which day our Lord’s burial is commemorated, because we are buried together with Christ by baptism unto death (Rom 6:4). Moreover at the Easter festival the mind of man ought to be devoutly raised to the glory of eternity, which Christ restored by rising from the dead, and so the Church ordered a fast to be observed immediately before the Paschal feast; and for the same reason, on the eve of the chief festivals, because it is then that one ought to make ready to keep the coming feast devoutly. Again it is the custom in the Church for Holy Orders to be conferred every quarter of the year (in sign whereof our Lord fed four thousand men with seven loaves, which signify the New Testament year as Jerome says): and then both the ordainer, and the candidates for ordination, and even the whole people, for whose good they are ordained, need to fast in order to make themselves ready for the ordination. Hence it is related (Luke 6:12) that before choosing His disciples our Lord went out into a mountain to pray: and Ambrose commenting on these words says: What shouldst thou do, when thou desirest to undertake some pious work, since Christ prayed before sending His apostles? Ratio autem numeri, quantum ad quadragesimale ieiunium, est triplex, secundum Gregorium. Prima quidem, quia virtus Decalogi per libros quatuor sancti Evangelii impletur, denarius autem quater ductus in quadragenarium surgit. Vel quia in hoc mortali corpore ex quatuor elementis subsistimus, per cuius voluntatem praeceptis dominicis contraimus, quae per Decalogum sunt accepta. Unde dignum est ut eandem carnem quaterdecies affligamus. Vel quia ita offerre contendimus Deo decimas dierum. Dum enim per trecentos et sexaginta dies annus ducitur, nos autem per triginta sex dies affligimur, qui sunt ieiunabiles in sex septimanis Quadragesimae, quasi anni nostri decimas Deo damus. Secundum autem Augustinum, additur quarta ratio. Nam creator est Trinitas, pater et filius et Spiritus Sanctus. Creaturae vero invisibili debetur ternarius numerus, diligere enim iubemur Deum ex toto corde, ex tota anima, ex tota mente. Creaturae vero visibili debetur quaternarius, propter calidum et frigidum, humidum et siccum. Sic ergo per denarium significantur omnes res, qui si ducatur per quaternarium, qui competit corpori, per quod administratio geritur, quadragesimum numerum conficit. With regard to the forty day’s fast, according to Gregory (Hom. xvi in Evang.) there are three reasons for the number. First, because the power of the Decalogue is accomplished in the four books of the Holy Gospels: since forty is the product of ten multiplied by four. Or because we are composed of four elements in this mortal body through whose lusts we transgress the Lord’s commandments which are delivered to us in the Decalogue. Wherefore it is fitting we should punish that same body forty times. Or, because, just as under the Law it was commanded that tithes should be paid of things, so we strive to pay God a tithe of days, for since a year is composed of three hundred and sixty-six days, by punishing ourselves for thirty-six days (namely, the fasting days during the six weeks of Lent) we pay God a tithe of our year. According to Augustine (De Doctr. Christ. ii, 16) a fourth reason may be added. For the Creator is the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: while the number three refers to the invisible creature, since we are commanded to love God, with our whole heart, with our whole soul, and with our whole mind: and the number four refers to the visible creature, by reason of heat, cold, wet and dry. Thus the number ten signifies all things, and if this be multiplied by four which refers to the body whereby we make use of things, we have the number forty. Singula vero ieiunia quatuor temporum tribus diebus continentur, propter numerum mensium qui competit cuilibet tempori. Vel propter numerum sacrorum ordinum, qui in his temporibus conferuntur. Each fast of the Ember days is composed of three days, on account of the number of months in each season: or on account of the number of Holy orders which are conferred at these times. Ad primum ergo dicendum quod Christus Baptismo non indiguit propter seipsum, sed ut nobis Baptismum commendaret. Et ideo sibi non competebat ut ante Baptismum suum ieiunaret, sed post Baptismum, ut nos invitaret ad ieiunandum ante nostrum Baptismum. Reply Obj. 1: Christ needed not baptism for His own sake, but in order to commend baptism to us. Wherefore it was competent for Him to fast, not before, but after His baptism, in order to invite us to fast before our baptism. Ad secundum dicendum quod Ecclesia non servat ieiunia quatuor temporum nec omnino eisdem temporibus quibus Iudaei, nec etiam propter causas easdem. Illi enim ieiunabant in Iulio, qui est quartus mensis ab Aprili, quem primum habent, quia tunc Moyses, descendens de monte Sina, tabulas legis confregit; et iuxta Ieremiam, muri primum rupti sunt civitatis. In quinto autem mense, qui apud nos vocatur Augustus, cum propter exploratores seditio esset orta in populo, iussi sunt in montem non ascendere, et in hoc mense a Nabuchodonosor, et post a Tito, templum Hierosolymis est incensum. In septimo vero, qui appellatur October, Godolias occisus est, et reliquiae populi dissipatae. In decimo vero mense, qui apud nos Ianuarius dicitur, populus cum Ezechiele in captivitate positus, audivit templum esse subversum. Reply Obj. 2: The Church keeps the Ember fasts, neither at the very same time as the Jews, nor for the same reasons. For they fasted in July, which is the fourth month from April (which they count as the first), because it was then that Moses coming down from Mount Sinai broke the tables of the Law (Exod 32), and that, according to Jer. 39:2, the walls of the city were first broken through. In the fifth month, which we call August, they fasted because they were commanded not to go up on to the mountain, when the people had rebelled on account of the spies (Num 14): also in this month the temple of Jerusalem was burnt down by Nabuchodonosor (Jer 52) and afterwards by Titus. In the seventh month which we call October, Godolias was slain, and the remnants of the people were dispersed (Jer 51). In the tenth month, which we call January, the people who were with Ezechiel in captivity heard of the destruction of the temple (Ezek 4). Ad tertium dicendum quod ieiunium exultationis ex instinctu spiritus sancti procedit, qui est spiritus libertatis. Et ideo hoc ieiunium sub praecepto cadere non debet. Ieiunia ergo quae praecepto Ecclesiae instituuntur, sunt magis ieiunia afflictionis, quae non conveniunt in diebus laetitiae. Propter quod, non est ieiunium ab Ecclesia institutum in toto paschali tempore, nec etiam in diebus dominicis. In quibus si quis ieiunaret, contra consuetudinem populi Christiani, quae, ut Augustinus dicit, est pro lege habenda; vel etiam ex aliquo errore, sicut Manichaei ieiunant quasi necessarium tale ieiunium arbitrantes, non essent a peccato immunes, quamvis ipsum ieiunium secundum se consideratum omni tempore sit laudabile, secundum quod Hieronymus dicit, ad Lucinum, utinam omni tempore ieiunare possimus. Reply Obj. 3: The fasting of joy proceeds from the instigation of the Holy Spirit Who is the Spirit of liberty, wherefore this fasting should not be a matter of precept. Accordingly the fasts appointed by the commandment of the Church are rather fasts of sorrow which are inconsistent with days of joy. For this reason fasting is not ordered by the Church during the whole of the Paschal season, nor on Sundays: and if anyone were to fast at these times in contradiction to the custom of Christian people, which as Augustine declares (Ep. xxxvi) is to be considered as law, or even through some erroneous opinion (thus the Manichees fast, because they deem such fasting to be of obligation)—he would not be free from sin. Nevertheless fasting considered in itself is commendable at all times; thus Jerome wrote (Ad Lucin., Ep. lxxi): Would that we might fast always. Articulus 6 Article 6 Utrum requiratur ad ieiunium quod homo semel tantum comedat Whether it is requisite for fasting that one eat but once? Ad sextum sic proceditur. Videtur quod non requiratur ad ieiunium quod homo semel tantum comedat. Ieiunium enim, ut dictum est, est actus virtutis abstinentiae, quae quidem non minus observat debitam quantitatem cibi quam comestionis numerum. Non autem taxatur ieiunantibus quantitas cibi. Ergo nec numerus comestionis taxari debet. Objection 1: It would seem that it is not requisite for fasting that one eat but once. For, as stated above (A. 2), fasting is an act of the virtue of abstinence, which observes due quantity of food not less than the number of meals. Now the quantity of food is not limited for those who fast. Therefore neither should the number of meals be limited. Praeterea, sicut homo nutritur cibo, ita et potu. Unde et potus ieiunium solvit, propter quod, post potum non possumus Eucharistiam accipere. Sed non est prohibitum quin pluries bibamus, diversis horis diei. Ergo etiam non debet esse prohibitum ieiunantibus quin pluries comedant. Obj. 2: Further, Just as man is nourished by meat, so is he by drink: wherefore drink breaks the fast, and for this reason we cannot receive the Eucharist after drinking. Now we are not forbidden to drink at various hours of the day. Therefore those who fast should not be forbidden to eat several times. Praeterea, electuaria quidam cibi sunt. Quae tamen a multis in diebus ieiunii post comestionem sumuntur. Ergo unitas comestionis non est de ratione ieiunii. Obj. 3: Further, digestives are a kind of food: and yet many take them on fasting days after eating. Therefore it is not essential to fasting to take only one meal. Sed in contrarium est communis consuetudo populi Christiani. On the contrary, stands the common custom of the Christian people. Respondeo dicendum quod ieiunium ab Ecclesia instituitur ad concupiscentiam refrenandam, ita tamen quod natura salvetur. Ad hoc autem sufficere videtur unica comestio, per quam homo potest et naturae satisfacere, et tamen concupiscentiae aliquid detrahit, diminuendo comestionum vices. Et ideo Ecclesiae moderatione statutum est ut semel in die a ieiunantibus comedatur. I answer that, Fasting is instituted by the Church in order to bridle concupiscence, yet so as to safeguard nature. Now only one meal is seemingly sufficient for this purpose, since thereby man is able to satisfy nature; and yet he withdraws something from concupiscence by minimizing the number of meals. Therefore it is appointed by the Church, in her moderation, that those who fast should take one meal in the day. Ad primum ergo dicendum quod quantitas cibi non potuit eadem omnibus taxari, propter diversas corporum complexiones, ex quibus contingit quod unus maiori, alter minori indiget cibo. Sed ut plurimum omnes possunt naturae satisfacere per unicam comestionem. Reply Obj. 1: It was not possible to fix the same quantity of food for all, on account of the various bodily temperaments, the result being that one person needs more, and another less food: whereas, for the most part, all are able to satisfy nature by only one meal. Ad secundum dicendum quod duplex est ieiunium. Unum quidem naturae quod requiritur ad Eucharistiae sumptionem. Et hoc solvitur per quemlibet potum, etiam aquae, post quem non licet Eucharistiam sumere. Est autem aliud ieiunium Ecclesiae, quod dicitur ieiunium ieiunantis. Et istud non solvitur nisi per ea quae Ecclesia interdicere intendit instituendo ieiunium. Non autem intendit Ecclesia interdicere abstinentiam potus, qui magis sumitur ad alterationem corporis et digestionem ciborum assumptorum quam ad nutritionem, licet aliquo modo nutriat. Et ideo licet pluries ieiunantibus bibere. Si autem quis immoderate potu utatur, potest peccare et meritum ieiunii perdere, sicut etiam si immoderate cibum in una comestione assumat. Reply Obj. 2: Fasting is of two kinds. One is the natural fast, which is requisite for receiving the Eucharist. This is broken by any kind of drink, even of water, after which it is not lawful to receive the Eucharist. The fast of the Church is another kind and is called the fasting of the faster, and this is not broken save by such things as the Church intended to forbid in instituting the fast. Now the Church does not intend to command abstinence from drink, for this is taken more for bodily refreshment, and digestion of the food consumed, although it nourishes somewhat. It is, however, possible to sin and lose the merit of fasting, by partaking of too much drink: as also by eating immoderately at one meal. Ad tertium dicendum quod electuaria, etsi aliquo modo nutriant, non tamen principaliter assumuntur ad nutrimentum, sed ad digestionem ciborum. Unde non solvunt ieiunium, sicut nec aliarum medicinarum assumptio, nisi forte aliquis in fraudem electuaria in magna quantitate assumat per modum cibi. Reply Obj. 3: Although digestives nourish somewhat they are not taken chiefly for nourishment, but for digestion. Hence one does not break one’s fast by taking them or any other medicines, unless one were to take digestives, with a fraudulent intention, in great quantity and by way of food. Articulus 7 Article 7 Utrum hora nona convenienter taxetur ad comedendum his qui ieiunant Whether the ninth hour is suitably fixed for the faster’s meal? Ad septimum sic proceditur. Videtur quod hora nona non convenienter taxetur ad comedendum, his qui ieiunant. Status enim novi testamenti est perfectior quam status veteris testamenti. Sed in veteri testamento ieiunabant usque ad vesperam, dicitur enim Levit. XXIII, sabbatum est, affligetis animas vestras; et postea sequitur, a vespere usque ad vesperam celebrabitis sabbata vestra. Ergo multo magis in novo testamento ieiunium debet indici usque ad vesperam. Objection 1: It would seem that the ninth hour is not suitably fixed for the faster’s meal. For the state of the New Law is more perfect than the state of the Old Law. Now in the Old Testament they fasted until evening, for it is written (Lev 23:32): It is a sabbath . . . you shall afflict your souls, and then the text continues: From evening until evening you shall celebrate your sabbaths. Much more therefore under the New Testament should the fast be ordered until the evening. Praeterea, ieiunium ab Ecclesia institutum omnibus imponitur. Sed non omnes possunt determinate cognoscere horam nonam. Ergo videtur quod taxatio horae nonae non debeat cadere sub statuto ieiunii. Obj. 2: Further, the fast ordered by the Church is binding on all. But all are not able to know exactly the ninth hour. Therefore it seems that the fixing of the ninth hour should not form part of the commandment to fast. Praeterea, ieiunium est actus virtutis abstinentiae, ut supra dictum est. Sed virtus moralis non eodem modo accipit medium quoad omnes, quia quod est multum uni, est parum alteri, ut dicitur in II Ethic. Ergo non debet ieiunantibus taxari hora nona. Obj. 3: Further, fasting is an act of the virtue of abstinence, as stated above (A. 2). Now the mean of moral virtue does not apply in the same way to all, since what is much for one is little for another, as stated in Ethic. ii, 6. Therefore the ninth hour should not be fixed for those who fast. Sed contra est quod Concilium Cabillonense dicit, in Quadragesima nullatenus credendi sunt ieiunare qui ante manducaverint quam vespertinum celebretur officium, quod quadragesimali tempore post nonam dicitur. Ergo usque ad nonam est ieiunandum. On the contrary, The Council of Chalons says: During Lent those are by no means to be credited with fasting who eat before the celebration of the office of Vespers, which in the Lenten season is said after the ninth hour. Therefore we ought to fast until the ninth hour. Respondeo dicendum quod, sicut dictum est, ieiunium ordinatur ad deletionem et cohibitionem culpae. Unde oportet quod aliquid addat supra communem consuetudinem, ita tamen quod per hoc non multum natura gravetur. Est autem debita et communis consuetudo comedendi hominibus circa horam sextam, tum quia iam videtur esse completa digestio, nocturno tempore naturali calore interius revocato propter frigus noctis circumstans, et diffusio humoris per membra, cooperante ad hoc calore diei usque ad summum solis ascensum; tum etiam quia tunc praecipue natura corporis humani indiget iuvari contra exteriorem aeris calorem, ne humores interius adurantur. Et ideo, ut ieiunans aliquam afflictionem sentiat pro culpae satisfactione, conveniens hora comedendi taxatur ieiunantibus circa nonam. I answer that, As stated above (AA. 1, 3, 5), fasting is directed to the deletion and prevention of sin. Hence it ought to add something to the common custom, yet so as not to be a heavy burden to nature. Now the right and common custom is for men to eat about the sixth hour: both because digestion is seemingly finished (the natural heat being withdrawn inwardly at night-time on account of the surrounding cold of the night), and the humor spread about through the limbs (to which result the heat of the day conduces until the sun has reached its zenith), and again because it is then chiefly that the nature of the human body needs assistance against the external heat that is in the air, lest the humors be parched within. Hence, in order that those who fast may feel some pain in satisfaction for their sins, the ninth hour is suitably fixed for their meal. Convenit etiam ista hora mysterio passionis Christi, quae completa fuit hora nona, quando, inclinato capite, tradidit spiritum. Ieiunantes enim, dum suam carnem affligunt, passioni Christi conformantur, secundum illud Galat. V, qui Christi sunt, carnem suam crucifixerunt, cum vitiis et concupiscentiis. Moreover, this hour agrees with the mystery of Christ’s Passion, which was brought to a close at the ninth hour, when bowing His head, He gave up the ghost (John 19:30): because those who fast by punishing their flesh, are conformed to the Passion of Christ, according to Gal. 5:24, They that are Christ’s, have crucified their flesh with the vices and concupiscences. Ad primum ergo dicendum quod status veteris testamenti comparatur nocti, status vero novi testamenti diei, secundum illud Rom. XIII, nox praecessit, dies autem appropinquavit. Et ideo in veteri testamento ieiunabant usque ad noctem, non autem in novo testamento. Reply Obj. 1: The state of the Old Testament is compared to the night, while the state of the New Testament is compared to the day, according to Rom. 13:12, The night is passed and the day is at hand. Therefore in the Old Testament they fasted until night, but not in the New Testament. Ad secundum dicendum quod ad ieiunium requiritur hora determinata non secundum subtilem examinationem, sed secundum grossam aestimationem, sufficit enim quod sit circa horam nonam. Et hoc de facili quilibet cognoscere potest. Reply Obj. 2: Fasting requires a fixed hour based, not on a strict calculation, but on a rough estimate: for it suffices that it be about the ninth hour, and this is easy for anyone to ascertain. Ad tertium dicendum quod modicum augmentum, vel etiam modicus defectus, non multum potest nocere. Non est autem magnum temporis spatium quod est ab hora sexta, in qua communiter homines comedere consueverunt, usque ad horam nonam, quae ieiunantibus determinatur. Et ideo talis taxatio temporis non multum potest alicui nocere, cuiuscumque conditionis existat. Vel, si forte propter infirmitatem vel aetatem aut aliquid huiusmodi, hoc eis in magnum gravamen cederet, esset cum eis in ieiunio dispensandum, vel ut aliquantulum praevenirent horam. Reply Obj. 3: A little more or a little less cannot do much harm. Now it is not a long space of time from the sixth hour at which men for the most part are wont to eat, until the ninth hour, which is fixed for those who fast. Wherefore the fixing of such a time cannot do much harm to anyone, whatever his circumstances may be. If however this were to prove a heavy burden to a man on account of sickness, age, or some similar reason, he should be dispensed from fasting, or be allowed to forestall the hour by a little. Articulus 8 Article 8 Utrum convenienter ieiunantibus indicatur abstinentia a carnibus et ovis et lacticiniis Whether it is fitting that those who fast should be bidden to abstain from meat, eggs, and milk foods? Ad octavum sic proceditur. Videtur quod inconvenienter ieiunantibus indicatur abstinentia a carnibus et ovis et lacticiniis. Dictum est enim supra quod ieiunium est institutum ad concupiscentias carnis refrenandas. Sed magis concupiscentiam provocat potus vini quam esus carnium, secundum illud Prov. XX, luxuriosa res est vinum; et Ephes. V, nolite inebriari vino, in quo est luxuria. Cum ergo non interdicatur ieiunantibus potus vini, videtur quod non debeat interdici esus carnium. Objection 1: It would seem unfitting that those who fast should be bidden to abstain from flesh meat, eggs, and milk foods. For it has been stated above (A. 6) that fasting was instituted as a curb on the concupiscence of the flesh. Now concupiscence is kindled by drinking wine more than by eating flesh; according to Prov. 20:1, Wine is a luxurious thing, and Eph. 5:18, Be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury. Since then those who fast are not forbidden to drink wine, it seems that they should not be forbidden to eat flesh meat. Praeterea, aliqui pisces ita delectabiliter comeduntur sicut quaedam animalium carnes. Sed concupiscentia est appetitus delectabilis, ut supra habitum est. Ergo in ieiunio, quod est institutum ad concupiscentiam refrenandam, sicut non interdicitur usus piscium, ita non debet interdici usus carnium. Obj. 2: Further, some fish are as delectable to eat as the flesh of certain animals. Now concupiscence is desire of the delectable, as stated above (I-II, Q. 30, A. 1). Therefore since fasting which was instituted in order to bridle concupiscence does not exclude the eating of fish, neither should it exclude the eating of flesh meat. Praeterea, in quibusdam ieiuniorum diebus aliqui ovis et caseo utuntur. Ergo, pari ratione, in ieiunio quadragesimali talibus homo uti potest. Obj. 3: Further, on certain fasting days people make use of eggs and cheese. Therefore one can likewise make use of them during the Lenten fast. Sed contra est communis fidelium consuetudo. On the contrary, stands the common custom of the faithful. Respondeo dicendum quod, sicut supra dictum est, ieiunium ab Ecclesia est institutum ad reprimendas concupiscentias carnis. Quae quidem sunt delectabilium secundum tactum, quae consistunt in cibis et venereis. Et ideo illos cibos Ecclesia ieiunantibus interdixit qui et in comedendo maxime habent delectationem, et iterum maxime hominem ad venerea provocant. Huiusmodi autem sunt carnes animalium in terra quiescentium et respirantium, et quae ex eis procedunt, sicut lacticinia ex gressibilibus, et ova ex avibus. Quia enim huiusmodi magis conformantur humano corpori, plus delectant et magis conferunt ad humani corporis nutrimentum, et sic ex eorum comestione plus superfluit ut vertatur in materiam seminis, cuius multiplicatio est maximum incitamentum luxuriae. Et ideo ab his cibis praecipue ieiunantibus Ecclesia statuit esse abstinendum. I answer that, As stated above (A. 6), fasting was instituted by the Church in order to bridle the concupiscences of the flesh, which regard pleasures of touch in connection with food and sex. Wherefore the Church forbade those who fast to partake of those foods which both afford most pleasure to the palate, and besides are a very great incentive to lust. Such are the flesh of animals that take their rest on the earth, and of those that breathe the air and their products, such as milk from those that walk on the earth, and eggs from birds. For, since such like animals are more like man in body, they afford greater pleasure as food, and greater nourishment to the human body, so that from their consumption there results a greater surplus available for seminal matter, which when abundant becomes a great incentive to lust. Hence the Church has bidden those who fast to abstain especially from these foods. Ad primum ergo dicendum quod ad actum generationis tria concurrunt, scilicet calor, spiritus et humor. Ad calorem quidem maxime cooperatur vinum, et alia calefacientia corpus; ad spiritus autem videntur cooperari inflativa; sed ad humorem maxime cooperatur usus carnium, ex quibus multum de alimento generatur. Alteratio autem caloris et multiplicatio spirituum cito transit, sed substantia humoris diu manet. Et ideo magis interdicitur ieiunantibus usus carnium quam vini, vel leguminum, quae sunt inflativa. Reply Obj. 1: Three things concur in the act of procreation, namely, heat, spirit, and humor. Wine and other things that heat the body conduce especially to heat: flatulent foods seemingly cooperate in the production of the vital spirit: but it is chiefly the use of flesh meat which is most productive of nourishment, that conduces to the production of humor. Now the alteration occasioned by heat, and the increase in vital spirits are of short duration, whereas the substance of the humor remains a long time. Hence those who fast are forbidden the use of flesh meat rather than of wine or vegetables which are flatulent foods. Ad secundum dicendum quod Ecclesia, ieiunium instituens, intendit ad id quod communius accidit. Esus autem carnium est magis delectabilis communiter quam esus piscium, quamvis in quibusdam aliter se habeat. Et ideo Ecclesia magis ieiunantibus prohibuit esum carnium quam esum piscium. Reply Obj. 2: In the institution of fasting, the Church takes account of the more common occurrences. Now, generally speaking, eating flesh meat affords more pleasure than eating fish, although this is not always the case. Hence the Church forbade those who fast to eat flesh meat, rather than to eat fish.