Shrove Tuesday

Are you ready for tomorrow?

We've been thinking and talking about the season of Lent that is soon upon us and the kids have shared some ideas of what they'd like to do. Lent is hard on little ones though. Forty+ days is an eternity even for a 10yr old let alone a 7yr old and younger. The fact is, we don't do Lent too harshly around here nor demand the kids do this or give up that. They are still allowed to play, to have fun, to be kids.

But they don't get a free-pass either. They need to experience sacrifice and going-without in an age-appropriate way. We spend several days and weeks ahead of time discussing Lent and our expectations will be and what the Church asks of us.

But allow me to be real honest here for a second: Lent is a God-send for parents. Why? Because God in His goodness knows that it's right around this time of the year when things are breaking down and the whole family is in need of that reset button. The holidays are over but we are still struggling to get back to that pre-Christmas routine to our day. It's still too cold outside to spend any large amounts of time outdoors so cabin fever has set in. Poor eating habits make for cranky kids and mommies.

What better time for fostering improved behavior and a more disciplined life?


Lent = Reset button.


But that hard work will start officially tomorrow. Today we have been silly. And loud. And worked in some extra fun including a playdate with their cousins. I've been encouraging the kids to say and sing "Alleluia" as much as they want. Because at bedtime tonight, we'll bury the word until Easter.

So what's the the "Shrove" and pancakes?

The pancake part developed over time as a means of using up the last of the rich foods like eggs, fats, sugars and other treats in the house before the season of penance begins in earnest. (Thus, "Fat Tuesday" or "Mardi Gras" was a day set aside to use up what you won't be using for the next six weeks. Waste not, want not.) Another common treat served today is King Cake consisting of many of the same ingredients. (However, I'm not fond of King Cake and we stay away from food dyes so...pancakes it is!)

I wince though in thinking about how this day has been commandeered by secularism. Once again, a spiritually meaningful day of the Church calendar with clearly CATHOLIC ties has been hijacked. In fact some sources claim that the Mardi Gras masks developed over time as one way to remain anonymous while still being able to enjoy otherwise unacceptable behavior during the day's "merriment". 

Back to pancakes...

Shrove is a derivative of the word "shrive" which literally means to take oneself to confession. As Lent is a time of penance and reparation, that should be one of our chief goals: to get our souls cleaned. Regular maintenance here, folks. Your Mother called. She wants to you to get cleaned up before the wedding feast of the Lamb.

So today, Shrove Tuesday - Fat Tuesday - Mardi Gras - whatever you'd like to call it is our one last hurrah before buckling down and tackling on our weaknesses. So tonight we have having breakfast for dinner. Eggs, bacon, orange juice and...

Hope your Lent is off to a good start tomorrow!