Below is the text of an email that I send out to friends and family every year on Fat Tuesday.
Fat Tuesday (the origin for Mardi Gras) is the day before Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the first day of the 40 day Lenten season which leads up to Easter. (This 40 day period does not include Sundays). In the tradition of the early church these 40 days were a time of repentance and mourning for the death of Christ. As an outward sign of repentance, people will often fast from something during the 40 days of Lent. This traditional time of fasting gave birth to the day before Ash Wednesday being known as "Fat Tuesday". "Fat Tuesday" is the day when people overindulged in fats, sweets, meats, and other excesses...the last party before the beginning of the somber Lenten season. If you are in the South, you know Fat Tuesday as Mardi Gras. Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is a day of penance. Many churches have a service in which ashes are placed on the participants forehead. The priest or the layperson often speaks these words while placing the ashes on the forehead: Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return (Genesis 3:19).
I think of Ash Wednesday, as my spiritual "New Year's". On this day, I take spiritual inventory and decide where I am spiritual "flabby" and what I need to do to get in better spiritual shape. I fast from a habit that is making me spiritually flabby and add a habit that will build some spiritual muscle. I usually fast from sugar or chocolate, because I have the habit of eating when I should be praying! Taking away my favorite coping mechanism forces me to talk to God when I am stressed instead of woofing down a peanut buster parfait. In years past, I have also fasted from caffeine and television, it just depends on what I am using as a crutch. Good habits I have added in the past have been scripture memory, extra Bible reading, or prayer time. When I fast from something that is a part of my daily routine, i.e., sweets or coffee, the absence of that thing (my morning cup of coffee) is a daily reminder to me of Christ's sacrifice for me. I notice that I am more Christ centered during Lent as I am daily reminded of the cross. Often times I choose to have a specific prayer focus during Lent, whether that be a stronghold I have in my life, a decision I need to make, or a person or group that I decide to intercede for.
If you decide to observe Lent, pray about what you should give up or what you should add in (or both). In my experience, the Holy Spirit is always eager to point out areas where I need to spiritually tone when I ask. :) Also be realistic. Yes, it is a time of sacrifice but if you drink six Cokes a day, going cold turkey on Ash Wednesday is a recipe for failure. In the Lenten calendar, Sundays are a feast days. One is permitted to have what they are fasting from (just don't be a glutton). I have friends who take advantage of Sundays and others who abstain the whole 40 days plus Sundays. It is a matter of personal preference. If you would like to attend an Ash Wednesday service and your local church does not have one, check with a Catholic, Episcopal, or Anglican church in your area.
Merry Mardi Gras!
Peace,
Kate
Monitor Lizard
Male Kob Sentry. He is watching out for the nearby lions.
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