March 1, 2022 - Today is a day that's known by several names. Some call it "Mardi Gras" or "Fat Tuesday". Others refer to it as "Shrove Tuesday" or "Pancake Day". What's all this about? Well, basically, it's all wrapped up in the fact that today is the last day before Lent, that six-week season in the traditional church calendar that leads to Easter.
The Lenten Season is known as a time of fasting, or at least a time to give up certain rich foods or other indulgences. Thus, the "fat" Tuesday name, signifying a day to indulge in all those things that wouldn't be allowed during Lent. Mardi Gras, of course, is just the French translation of Fat Tuesday. The biggest Mardi Gras in the U.S. is in New Orleans, but Texas has the third biggest in Galveston.
The term Shrove Tuesday is less well known. The word "shrove" is derived from the old word "shrive" which means absolve or forgive. This reflects the tradition of using this day before Lent to examine ourselves, our hearts, our spirits - and to make confession. Just as Lent is a time of preparation for Easter, Shrove Tuesday is a time of preparation for Lent. Pancakes, and other pastries, were often eaten on this day, to use up milk and eggs and sugar that would spoil during Lent. Many churches still host a pancake breakfast on Shrove Tuesday.
And so, it's important to take time to look ahead, to look forward. And it's important to search our hearts, and to prepare.
Because Easter is coming!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
