DIG IN

FEBRUARY 13, 2024

 

Joel 2:12-14

"Even now," declares the Lord,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning."

Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love….

Growing up where I did, today was called Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, I have learned around here in our area Paczki Day. This day is the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten Season.

A little bit of history for us today. Shrove Tuesday is the last day of what traditionally was called “Shrovetide,” The word itself, Shrovetide, is the English equivalent for “Carnival,” which is derived from the Latin words “carnem levare”, meaning “to take away the flesh.” While this day was seen as the last chance to "make merry", which unfortunately in some places resulted in excessive pleasure, Shrovetide was the time to cast off things of the flesh, the hindrances to intimacy with God, and to prepare spiritually for Lent.

The English term “To shrive” meant to hear confessions. So, on the week before Lent began, was a time for confession before God, of course in many Christian circles of that time all were required to go to the church. The Priest or Minister would then offer God’s forgiveness to them, much like we do in our moments of confessions in worship services. The season of Lent then became a time for making amends and restitution in gratitude for God's grace and forgiveness while at the same time giving special attention  to the renewal of faith.

A text like Psalm 51 was the appropriate prayer at such a time as the worshippers moved from Shrovetide into the Lent Season.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Amen.

While this week of Shrovetide condoned the partaking of pleasures from which a person would abstain during Lent, this Tuesday had a special significance in England where Pancakes were prepared and enjoyed because in so doing a family depleted their eggs, milk, butter, and fat which were part of the Lenten fast. In our area, among Polish immigrants a similar practice occurred resulting in Paczkis being made.  The need to eat up the fats gave rise to the French name Mardi Gras; meaning Fat Tuesday. What I have been describing sounds like MARDI GRAS doesn’t it.

Despite the many excesses leading up to Lent the invitation of our Bible reading today became a call to all worshippers, a call of grace. Read the words again reflectively, notice what God says and promises, and what our response is to be.

Joel 2:12-14

"Even now," declares the Lord,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning."

Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love….



LET US PRAY

May God the Father, who does not despise the broken spirit, give you a contrite heart.

May Christ, who bore our sins in his body on the tree, heal you by his wounds.

May the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth, speak to you words of pardon and peace. Amen