Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday, Mardis Gras, Shrove Tuesday—the day before a traditional season of fasting in which people would empty their pantries of their fattiest foods and consume them without inhibition. The tradition has grown from its origins, particularly along the streets of New Orleans, and we will mark the transition in our own way at our Shrove Tuesday pancake supper on Tuesday at 6:00 in the gym.
And after Fat Tuesday comes Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Lent is a period of 40 days (not counting Sundays) in which Christians over the centuries have found different ways of preparing themselves for Easter. We are perhaps most familiar with the practice of giving something up for Lent: something we enjoy but know is not good for us, like sweets, soda, or television. This kind of Lenten fast usually ends up being a holy diet which serves to put us in better health (or a healthier state of mind) for forty-some-odd days, but does little to shake our feelings of busyness and disconnection from God.
What is a regular part of your daily life that robs you of time that could be more valuably spent? What are your habits or vices which help you escape from confronting the stresses of life? What preoccupations are preventing you from finding inner peace? The answer to these questions may be chocolate after all. But think hard about what is preventing you from resting in God's presence, and try to let it go for just forty days. See what happens. Or, if you'd rather, think of what would better enable you to foster your connection with God, and start making a regular habit of that for forty days.
After you've had your fill on Tuesday, think about starting fresh on Wednesday. And share with others what you're committing to for this Lenten season. You can even share it here on the blog by adding a comment.