Fat Tuesday, Lent, & You

 

Today is Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday. For many, this is a celebration of drunken revelry. Countries around the world take to the streets, squares, and community areas to celebrate one last hoorah. Is today really about a huge celebration with no purpose, or is there something more here that involves all of us?

In reality, Fat Tuesday is the last day in the Christian calendar of the season of Epiphany, just before Lent. Traditionally, Catholic and Episcopal cultures around the world use this day before Ash Wednesday to celebrate.  Historically, this is the final day that some Christian communities indulge in sweet rich food that are forfeited during Lent.  Lent, the period of 40-days (not including Sundays) is the time that Christians prepare for Easter and for spiritual insight.

No matter how strong your connection to Christianity is, or your lack of connection, Fat Tuesday involves you. Why? The answer isn’t very religious, but more practical.

As humans, we need a pattern… rhythm. There are ebbs and flows in life. Our culture constantly forces us to push harder and work longer. However, we can’t always keep up with such a high level of activity. We need rest, reflection, and celebration. Fat Tuesday is that one last day holiday before a period of fasting for a religious community. Fasting isn’t always about food. Fasting can be a fast from luxuries
such as sweet foods or unhealthy practices.

Fat Tuesday is the last moment before a time of self limitation. In a culture that tells us not to limit ourselves or to spend money we don’t have with credit cards, we need limits.  Lent is a season of limits. It is a time for us to slow down, think about what is really important in life, and to reflect upon our priorities. Tomorrow, on Ash Wednesday, when a Christian receives ashes on their forehead, they hear the words, “Remember, you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Wow, that could be a huge Debbie Downer, or a reality check.

In a world that tells us, “Go, go, go!” we little “slow, slow, slow”. Lent provides us a time to slow down and refocus. No matter if you are a Catholic, protestant, or even a seeker, you need Lent. You need a time to reflect upon a fundamental reordering of priorities. You need a time in which you can commit yourself to others and not yourself.

So, take this day and take a deep breath before at period of self-reflection. Slow down this Lent and refocus your life on the things that matter: family, friends, service, community, and God.