Canon 1251 states that abstinence (from meat) and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
However, it’s not a problem to say that one ought to avoid meat on certain prescribed days, but how do you explain to a catholic palm wine tapper who loves to enjoy his wine with bush meat everyday that as a Catholic, he ought to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday? If God created everything and said that it’s good, why avoid meat then?
As Ash Wednesday begins the season of lent which lasts for forty days till Easter. By this solemn forty days of Lent, the Church unites herself to the mystery of Jesus in the desert ( CCC. 540, Matt 4:1-2).
While in this desert, Jesus was tempted three times and he became victorious three times. However, the devil left him for “a more appropriate time.” That opportune moment was during the passion when Satan reemerges forcefully.
Particularly, we are talking about:
The garden of Gatsemani trial ( Matt 26: 36-46); here one could still hear, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. Nevertheless, let it be as you, not I, would have it”;
The conspiracy against Jesus, between Judas Ischariot, the chief priests and the officers of the Temple guard (Luke 22:3-4, etc.), and;
The hour of his arrest when the power of darkness seemed to have prevailed ( Luke 22: 53; Matt 26:47-56; etc.)
In all these trials, the ensemble diabolic forces wanted to counteract God’s plan of salvation in the mission of Jesus. However, Jesus understood the game and the assignment. He was victorious, sacrificed his life and laid it down on the wood of the cross on Good Friday.
Therefore, meat represents the flesh. It is symbolic. Jesus sacrificed his flesh on Good Friday. Therefore, abstinence from meat reminds us consciously of the events of passion of Christ in Lent and honors the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross.