March 4, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Tuesday, March 4.
Today’s a day known by several different names. Some call it “Mardi Gras” or “Fat Tuesday”. Others refer to it as “Shrove Tuesday” or “Pancake Day”. What are all these names about? Well, they’re all wrapped up in the fact that today is the last day before Lent, the six-week season in the religious calendar, the season that leads to Easter.
The Lenten season is traditionally a time for fasting, or at least a time to give up rich foods or other temptations. Thus, the “fat” in Fat Tuesday signifies a day to indulge in all those things that won’t be allowed during Lent. Mardi Gras, of course, is just the French translation of Fat Tuesday. The French Quarter in New Orleans boasts the biggest Mardi Gras celebration in the U.S., but the third largest is in Galveston, Texas.
The term Shrove Tuesday is less well known. The word “shrove” is derived from the ancient word “shrive” which means to 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. But where does Pancake Day fit in with all this? Centuries ago, before everyone had a refrigerator, pancakes and other pastries were eaten on this day, to use up the milk and eggs and sugar that would spoil during Lent. Many churches still host pancake breakfasts on Shrove Tuesday.
So what do all these quaint traditions have to teach us in our modern world? They remind us of the ancient truth that it’s important to look ahead, to look forward - important to search our hearts, and to prepare.
Because Easter is coming!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
