It’s SHROVE TUESDAY!
This day gets its name from the word “shrive” meaning “to absolve” and marks the last day before the liturgical season of Lent, which is observed by an overwhelming majority of Christians during the 40 days preceding Easter. Like the Feasts of the Old Testament, it too is a prefigure of the Wedding Feast of the Lamb to come when we will celebrate the dew of Heaven and the fatness of the earth. But first, we prepare our hearts for that Paschal Feast of Passover that comes at the end of Lent.
Like Jesus’ 40 days in the desert, we join ourselves in His journey toward His Passion over the next 40 days by praying and reflecting with the Holy Spirit, making a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs we have committed and our need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth we especially need to ask God’s help in dealing with. Shrove Tuesday or “Fat” Tuesday as it has been termed by our French brothers and sisters is an active observance of our need to purge ourselves of the fatness of the earth that threatens to keep us from our spiritual blessings.
As we prepare our homes and our hearts to make the Lenten Journey of Reflection and Absolution, we can hopefully recognize it is better not to be like Esau, who gave up his spiritual inheritance for the fat of the earth (Genesis 25:29-34), but far better to be like Jacob, who through temperance and obedience obtained both his inheritances, the dew of Heaven AND the fatness of the earth.
So, whatever you call it – Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Shrovetide, Pancake Day or just the day before Ash Wednesday, let us remember that all our days are Days of Remembrance that are merely shadows to us of the days to come. Our celebrations, fasts and feast are all part of that journey inward to find ourselves at home at that Wedding Feast of the Lamb.
I encourage you to observe this time, however you would choose, and use it to draw closer to the one our Lord came to help us know, Our Father in Heaven. Consider strongly an act of repentance and confession, or maybe just sit, have #coffeewJesus & pancakes 😊 and #ponderthis 😉
Until the Day Dawns and the Shadows Flee,
❤️ Kim
