I'm giving up sodas...
You've probably seen the "Pancake Supper" church signs all around town today. Today is Shrove Tuesday, the precursor to Lent (the 40 days before Easter, during which Christians typically give up something as a spiritual exercise) and Ash Wednesday.
It all ties together, of course. Here's an easy explanation of how, from the Rev. Ken Kroohs, rector of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in High Point:
"Although Shrove Tuesday comes first, we must understand Lent
and Ash Wednesday before we can understand Shrove Tuesday! In
many cultures, Shrove Tuesday has become a special day of wild
celebration before the relatively calm, penitential and reflective season of Lent. The tradition of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday comes from the tradition of not using any form of animal fat during this period.
All fat was removed from the house and pancakes were a good way to
consume the fat. (Enjoy them anyway!)
Shrove Tuesday is also known as "Mardi Gras" and "Carnival." The
word "Shrove" is derived from an archaic English word meaning "to
confess one’s sins." (A dictionary for Episcopalians by John Wall)
Ash Wednesday traditions began relatively late, probably about 600 AD. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a time set aside in the church calendar for self reflection and repentance. Those practices are intended to lead to renewal and new beginnings at Easter.
The use of ashes symbolizes our humility and repentance while bringing
to mind the passage: “you are dust and to dust you shall return”.
(Genesis 3:19) The entire practice has roots in Hebrew traditions where sackcloth and ashes are a sign of mourning and repentance.
The ashes used on Ash Wednesday come from burning the palms used in previous Palm Sunday services.On Palm Sunday, we use the palms as a sign of our acceptance that Jesus is King. The burning of the palms and application of the ashes can be seen as symbolic of our failure to truly accept and follow Jesus as King."
Comments (3)
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One year I mistakenly told an 8 year old the truth when they asked what I gave up for Lent at their age ... I told them I tried to give up homework ! The child's mother has still not forgiven me !
Posted on February 8, 2005 5:01 PM
Many thanks to Rev. Kroohs for his excellent primer on Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent. He actually provided more detail than the few encyclopedias I looked at online today :-)
On my website I've produced a daily devotion regarding Ash Wednesday that makes a nice companion to this article.
I make no money at this.
You may read it or listen to it in MP3 at:
http://www.newwildernessjournal.com/feb9.htm
Posted on February 8, 2005 7:48 PM
Sodas is my target too. I usually have about two or three a day so it will be tough for me. Good luck to you!
Posted on February 9, 2005 9:49 AM