20,21 Feb -- Pancakes and Ashes

The readings for Tues 20 and Wed 21 February are -- Gen 9:8-10:32; Ps 4:1-8; Pro 1:10-14; Mt 4:21-5:12. (For a list of the readings for the rest of February, see "Previous Posts" and click on "Bible Readings for February".)

Today is the beginning of Lent -- a period of reflection and preparation prior to Easter. (Compare with Advent prior to Christmas.) Lent begins 46 days before Easter Sunday, but is normally thought of as being 40 days (which excludes the Sundays). Traditionally Lent includes some form of fasting or going without.

Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, derives its name from the practice of the priest drawing the sign of the cross on the foreheads of worshippers with ashes mixed with olive oil. The ashes come from the burning of the palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday. It symbolises repentance (like "sackcloth and ashes" in the OT).

"Pancake Tuesday" is the popular name given to the day before Ash Wednesday. It is the day to clear out all remaining meat and animal products before Lent. Including eggs and butter. Hence the pancakes. In French, it is "Mardi Gras" = Fat Tuesday. Historically it marked the last day of a 2 week period called "Carnival" or "Carnivale" (from the Latin carne = meat, and vale = farewell). So you can see where Sydney Mardi Gras got its name, but it's rather ironic. The traditional name is "Shrove Tuesday". Shrove means confession.

Some of the beatitudes in today's reading in Matthew seem particularly apt for this time.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs."
"Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted."
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after for righteousness, because they will be filled."
"Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God."

May you be blessed. John.