Unfortunately, in our society, Mardi Gras has become an opportunity for a wild party. During the coverage of the Super Bowl in New Orleans, I heard one reporter explaining how they had started, taken a break, and would resume the Mardi Gras events. The timing of Mardi Gras was given, without any mention of the start of Lent.
The excesses which have evolvoed around Mardi Gras started as an attempt to clear out of the house all the things which are not allowed during Lent.
One of those is leaven (yeast) for making bread.rise. During Lent we eat the flat bread of the children of God who were fleeing the bondage of Pharaoh. Their haste, the necessity of being on their way meant they had no time to wait to allow bread to rise. That is why we make pancakes on Shrove Tuesday - we are using up the last of the leaven.
But I get ahead of myself. That is tomorrow. What of this day, the day before the day before the start of Lent?
Maybe it is the day to reflect on what is about to begin and to prepare. Maybe it is the day to plan out how we will spend the 40 days of Lent - and - what changes need to be made tomorrow before the season begins. Maybe it is an invitation to take a good look at our lives and discover how much richer they could be.
No answers in today's devotion. Rather some questions. Spend a few minutes (you could spend a few hours) looking at your life and looking at your habits and looking at your typical routines and begin to consider what needs to be removed tomorrow so that you will be ready to start on Wednesday.
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