The French call it Mardi Gras. The Germans call it Shrove Tuesday. This is the last day before the stat of the season of Lent. Lent is the 40 days before Easter in which we prepare our hearts and our lives for the events which define our faith.
On this day, the last day of light-hearted activity, we eat up the leaven in our homes (no cakes during Lent) and we exhaust our desire to laugh (feast of fools.) On this day, we make the change and transition in our lives which will allow us to devote increased attention to our identity as disciples.
It is helpful to establish a Lenten discipline. Helpful, not required. Helpful in that having an additional routine reminds us of the season and the events toward which our liturgical calendar is moving us. Not required in that Christ has paid the price for us and we must never allow ourselves to think that we are earning merits by way of our sacrifice.
The best discipline is to increase our time for reading scripture. The discipline most likely to enhance our Easter is a deeper knowledge of the texts which share Easter's affect on the world.
However it is that you will mark these days, mark them well. Preparation will make the celebration more than an observance. Preparation will allow Easter to come alive in our hearts as well as on our calendars.
Pastor Chris
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